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V 




THE TRAIL OF 
TECUMSEH 




‘‘Let me go,” exclaimed Burch. 


[Page 176] 


GREAT INDIAN CHIEFS SERIES 


THE TRAIL OF 
TECUMSEH 


BY 

PAUL Gj^TOMLINSON 

ADTHOB OP 

“the TBAIL OP BLACK HAWK,” “XO THE LAND OF THE CABIBOU,” BTC. 



FRONTISPIECE BY 

T. DE THULSTRUP 


D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
NEW YORK LONDON 


1917 


I 



COPTBIQHT, 1917, BT 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 



APR -9 1.917 


Printed in the United States of America 

©Ci,A457876 

nvo I , 

% 


PREFACE 


Tecumseh has long been recognized as one of the 
most romantic characters in American history. A 
Shawnee chieftain of boundless courage, devoted pa- 
triotism, and great tenacity of purpose, for many 
years he was a source of perplexity as well as of trou- 
ble on the frontier. 

In his own day he was bitterly hated by the whites, 
who gave him slight credit for the possession of any 
humane qualities. A calmer study of his life, how- 
ever, clearly reveals not only his great ability but also 
his loyal devotion to the cause of the redmen. He 
was ardent in his purpose to retain the lands which 
the tribes, as they believed, had inherited from their 
forefathers. 

Although many stories have been written of the 
great chieftain’s daring, nevertheless the interest in 
the work of Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, is 
perennial. To the boys of the present generation the 
visit of the brothers to the Creek warriors in the 
South, their courage in defying General Harrison and 
his hardy soldiers, and even their final decision to 


PREFACE 


cast in their lot with the British in the War of 1812, 
thereby hoping to protect their own tribes, are as fasci- 
nating today as they were to our grandfathers. 

In this story I have tried to be true to the times in 
which the events incorporated in this tale took place. 
I have made free use of the various histories and rec- 
ords and am hopeful that my young readers will be 
interested not only in the story itself but in the chap- 
ter in American history which underlies it all. 

Paul G. Tomlinson. 

Elizabeth, New Jersey* 


vi 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

Preface 1 

I A Story 11 

II The Hoot of an Owl 21 

III Flight 31 

IV On the River 40 

V A Brush with the Indians .... 52 

VI A New Acquaintance 61 

VII Vincennes 70 

VIII A Remark by Pierre 80 

IX Smoke 90 

X A Mission 105 

XI In the Dark 114 

XII A Rifle Shot 125 

XIII Besieged 136 

XIV The Indians^ Strategy 148 

XV A Lively Skirmish 163 

XVI The Man of Mystery 173 

XVII In the Forest 180 

XVIII An Adventure 189 

XIX On the March 203 

XX Pursuit 215 

XXI The Advance Continues 225 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

XXII Up the River 232 

XXIII The General’s Strategy 242 

XXIV On Watch . 251 

XXV Tippecanoe 261 

XXVI A Mystery Solved 271 

XXVII A Volley op Shots 280 

XXVIII Conclusion 288 


THE TRAIL OF 
TECUMSEH 


























THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


PREFACE 

LEADING EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH 

1768. The great chieftain was born in the Shawnee 
village of Piqua on the Mad River in what is now 
Ohio. This little Indian village was located about 
six miles from the present city of Springfield in 
that State. Tecumseh was one of three brothers 
born at the same time. Another of the three also 
became a great man. He was commonly known in 
his day as the Prophet and had great infiuence 
among the tribes. The name Tecumseh in the In- 
dian language means ‘‘One who Leaps Swiftly 
From Place to Place. Because of that fact his 
name commonly has been taken to mean either “A 
Crouching Panther/’ or “A Shooting Star.” His 
father also was a chief, prominent in his day, and 
the influence of his surroundings doubtless did much 
to develop the warlike spirit of the little Indian 
boy who was destined to become one of the famous 
characters in American history. 

1792. While he was still a young man Tecumseh 
and his brother, the Prophet, became active in the 
border wars. The first record we have of his hos- 
tilities against the whites is an attack which he 
1 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


and a few warriors made upon a family named 
Waggoner. The ambitious young warrior in- 
structed his companions to capture the other mem- 
bers of the family while he himself took Mr. Wag- 
goner. The young brave failed in his attempt to 
secure the white man, but the other members of the 
family were all taken and several of them in the 
excitement were killed. 

Tecumseh denied the right of the United States 
Government to buy lands from any single Indian 
tribe. He objected on the ground that the land 
belonged to all the tribes in common, particularly 
the lands in the Ohio Valley. When the Govern- 
ment refused to accept this principle Tecumseh 
began to organize the tribes to resist the incoming 
white men. 

1809. General William Henry Harrison, acting for 
the United States, purchased land from the Miamis, 
Delawares and Pottawattomies. Tecumseh boldly 
disputed the GeneraPs right and soon there were 
serious threats of trouble between the red men and 
the white. General Harrison sent for the angry 
chieftain and there followed an argument logical, 
strong and forceful by each of them. Tecumseh, 
as has been said, claimed that the whites had no 
right to purchase land from one tribe when the 
land belonged to many tribes. General Harrison, 
however, disputed this claim, showing that the In- 
dian tribes had various and different homes, spoke 
different languages, made treaties with one another 
and lived separate and distinct lives. He based his 
argument upon these facts to prove that if any 
2 


PEEFACE 


tribe was willing to dispose of its possessions, it 
had a perfect right to do so. Tecumseh, however, 
was still unconvinced and in great anger departed 
from the conference. The following day, however, 
he returned and apologized although he still de- 
clared that his convictions were unchanged. There 
was an agreement made, that if war broke out, 
Tecumseh would do his utmost to restrain the In- 
dians from cruelties. When General Harrison in- 
quired if Tecumseh would try to prevent the survey 
of the lands he had purchased, Tecumseh quietly 
replied that he was still of the same mind. Indeed, 
his determination was made clear when he said 
quietly, ^‘I will not give in until I have united the 
red men.^’ 

1811. While Tecumseh was organizing the tribes 
from Florida to the headwaters of the Missouri 
Eiver he and his brother, the Prophet, or their 
representatives, visited all this vast region, urging 
their fellow tribesmen to join the great confeder- 
acy. In this way alone he declared could the white 
men be prevented from seizing the land which for 
generations had belonged to the Indian tribes. 

His plans, however, were abruptly halted by the 
battle of Tippecanoe. This fight was brought on 
by his brother, the Prophet, who was doing his 
utmost to arouse the warriors that had assembled 
at the confluence of the little Tippecanoe Eiver with 
the Wabash. Throughout the battle that followed, 
the Prophet did not enter into the conflict. Going 
to a quiet little eminence not far away he busied 
himself in his incantations and prayers. The events 
3 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


soon showed that he had made a great mistake in 
venturing to fight General Harrison’s little army 
of eight hundred men. Tecumseh, the warrior, 
was not there and there was no leader to take his 
place. The Miamis openly opposed the battle, but 
the Shawnees, Wyandots, Chippewas, Delawares, 
Pottawattomies and other tribes favored it and with 
the result that the red men could not be restrained. 
Although sixty-two Americans were killed and one 
hundred and twenty-six were wounded in the battle 
the Indians were defeated and scattered. 

1812. For a brief time it seemed that the Indians had 
been conquered and were willing to enter into a 
treaty. The War of 1812, however, suddenly broke 
out and Tecumseh, convinced that the occasion was 
one that ought not to be lost, soon led his army of 
two thousand warriors to the help of the British. 
Indeed, from them he received a regular commission 
as brigadier-general. With all his soul Tecumseh 
threw himself into the warfare and took an active 
part in the battles at Frenchtown, River Rasin, Ft. 
Meigs and Ft. Stephenson. When Commodore 
Perry won his great victory on Lake Erie it was 
Tecumseh and his warriors who covered the retreat 
of the British troops as they were driven farther 
into Canada. 

1813. At last Tecumseh refused to retreat farther. 
His decision compelled Proctor, the British com- 
mander, to make a stand on the bank of the Thames 
River in Canada near the present city of Chatham, 
Ontario. A bloody and fierce battle followed. The 
British and Indians, however, were defeated by 

4 


PEEFACE 


General Harrison and many were killed or captured. 
Tecumseh entered the fight with a conviction that 
he would lose his life in the struggle. So firm was 
he in this opinion that he discarded the uniform 
of a brigadier-general which he had been wearing, 
and fought clad in deerskin, like the other Indians. 
It was October 5th when the great chieftain fell in 
front of his warriors. He had received a bullet in 
his arm, but still continued to lead his men. An- 
other bullet in his head laid him low. The career 
of the Shawnee chieftain was ended before he was 
forty-five years of age. 

It is not a source of pride to learn that the Ameri- 
can soldiers in their anger at the leader of their 
enemies mutilated the body of the fallen warrior. 
They even cut away pieces of his skin which they 
took home with them as mementoes of the struggle. 
The historian, Trumbell, says that Tecumseh was 
the most extraordinary Indian character in the 
history of the United States. It is a pity that there 
is no reliable portrait of the great Indian. His 
name and deeds, however, will be known as long as 
the story of the hardy pioneers is told. 



V ■ ' » 

, « 

I 


♦ 






• I 


I 



LEADING EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF WILLIAM 
HENRY HARRISON 

1773. Born at Berkeley, Virginia, February 9th. 
His father had been one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence and also had been 
Governor of Virginia. 

1792. When young Harrison was nineteen years of 
age he found that he must depend entirely upon 
himself for his support. His father was dead and 
there was no one to whom he could look for help. 
He became an ensign in the army on the frontier, 
first under General St. Clair and then under Gen- 
eral Anthony Wayne, who was commonly known as 
Mad Anthony. There were many stirring adven- 
tures and experiences in the years in which he was 
engaged in fighting the western Indians. 

1795. Promoted to be a captain in the army. He 
had become a favorite of Mad Anthony and the in- 
fiuence of that daring leader was most helpful when 
Harrison was placed in command of Port Washing- 
ton, located where now the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
stands. 

1797. He resigned his commission in the army to be- 
come Governor of the territory, northwest of the 
Ohio. 

1799. Chosen delegate to Congress. 

1801. The new territory in the northwest having 

3 7 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


been divided, Harrison, now twenty-eight years old, 
was appointed Governor of Indiana. The territory, 
however, included not only that which now is 
known by the name of Indiana but also Illinois, 
Michigan and Wisconsin. Very few white people 
were living in the region and the Indians were be- 
coming increasingly hostile. 

1811. Defeated the warriors of Tecumseh at the Bat- 
tle of Tippecanoe. 

1812. After the surrender of Detroit by General 
Hull in the War of 1812, Harrison was placed in 
command of the Army of the Northwest. His posi- 
tion was that of brigadier-general. The feeling to- 
ward General Hull, for what was believed to be his 
cowardly surrender of Detroit, found expression 
in an old song, — 

^‘Let William Hull be counted null, 

A coward and a traitor. 

For British gold his army sold. 

To Brock, the speculator.’^ 

1813. Harrison’s subordinate officers were inefficient. 
Many had received their appointments through po- 
litical influence instead of through their own abil- 
ity or experience. Consequently, it was not until 
1813, after General Harrison had been made a 
major-general, that his work began to count. Com- 
modore Perry’s victory on Lake Erie enabled Har- 
rison to lead his army against the British and re- 
cover much of the territory that previously had 
been surrendered by the Americans. It was not 

8 


PEEFACE 


long after Harrison’s success that he, like many 
other men of his day, found it impossible to work 
with Armstrong, at that time Secretary of War. 
General Harrison after a very decided difference 
of opinion with the Secretary abruptly resigned his 
position. 

1816. Elected to Congress from Cincinnati. He 
served three years. 

1819. Elected to the State Senate of Ohio where he 
served two years. 

1824. Elected to the Senate of the United States. 

1828. John Quincy Adams appointed General Har- 
rison to be Minister Plenipotentiary to the Repub- 
lic of Colombia. His service was brief, however, 
as he was speedily recalled after the election of 
Andrew Jackson as President. A few years of 
quiet followed, which General Harrison spent on 
his farm at North Bend on the Ohio, not far from 
Cincinnati. He was not possessed of wealth and 
soon accepted the office of clerk of the county court, 
which contributed somewhat to his support. He 
continued to hold this office, in connection with his 
life on the farm, twelve years. 

1836. Nominated for President of the United States. 
He was exceedingly popular in the West. His hon- 
esty, earnestness and the fact that he was thor- 
oughly reliable had made him many friends among 
the settlers. In the election which followed he re- 
ceived seventy-three electoral votes, but was de- 
feated by Martin Van Buren, who became Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

1840. Great financial troubles had arisen in Van 

9 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Buren’s administration and the people who were 
opposed to him were confident they then had their 
opportunity to elect some one in his place. The 
names of General Scott, Henry Clay and others 
were proposed, but at last William Henry Harrison 
received the nomination. The campaign that fol- 
lowed was the most exciting which the country had 
ever seen. For the first time there were mass meet- 
ings, parades, torch light processions, etc. Some 
of his enemies had taunted Harrison for having 
lived in a log cabin and his only drink being hard 
cider. The “log cabin became one of the rally- 
ing cries of the campaign. John Tyler was the 
candidate for vice-president and a popular slogan 
throughout the country became “Tippecanoe and 
Tyler too.’’ General Harrison was completely suc- 
cessful, receiving two hundred and thirty-four elec- 
toral votes to sixty for Van Buren. 

1841. Inaugurated as President March 4th. Great 
expectations had been aroused by his election and 
the hopes of the people were high. Within a month 
after his inauguration, however. President Harri- 
son was taken ill and at the expiration of eight days 
he died. Tyler then became President in his place. 

William Henry Harrison was the grandfather 
of General Benjamin Harrison who was elected 
President of the United States in 1888. 


CHAPTER I 


A STORY 

T ell me about Tecumseb.’’ 

^‘Ha, ba/’ laughed tbe trapper. ‘Hf I 
told you all I knew about bim you’d bave to sit 
up all nigbt listening.’’ 

George Hollister was seated in tbe log cabin 
of bis friend Alec Smith, tbe trapper, and like 
all people on tbe frontier in tbe days just pre- 
ceding tbe War of 1812 was interested in the 
famous Indian chieftain. 

George bad only recently celebrated bis 
eighteenth birthday, but be was almost a man in 
size and strength. Tbe active outdoor life of a 
pioneer had made bis muscles supple and 
strong; bis chest was full and deep, and bis 
clear eyes showed that be enjoyed perfect 
health. He bad lived on tbe frontier but a short 
time, having moved there from bis home in 
Virginia. Typhoid fever had robbed bim of 
both father and mother a few months pre- 
^ 11 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


vious to the opening of this story, and being an 
only child he had been left alone in the world. 

Nothing daunted, however, George struck out 
for himself and with a healthy boy’s love of ad- 
venture had turned his footsteps westward. 
After many hardships and perils he had finally 
come to that part of our country which is now 
included in the state of Indiana. 

In those early days Indiana seemed far west. 
Here he had become acquainted and had formed 
a warm friendship with Alec Smith, a man who 
made his living by hunting and fishing. He was 
double George’s age but they got on splendidly 
together nevertheless and now were partners. 

‘‘Yes,” laughed Alec, “it would take all night 
for me to tell you all I know about Tecumseh.” 

“I don’t care,” insisted George. “I want 
to hear something about the Indian who is mak- 
ing all this trouble along the border.” 

“Well, I hope he doesn’t pay us a personal 
visit,” said Alec more seriously. “IVe seen 
him, but I donT care to see him again unless I 
have a bodyguard with me. ’ ’ 

“Is he so bloodthirsty?” 

“Indeed he is, and he loves red scalps too.” 
Alec’s eyes twinkled as he glanced at the flam- 
12 


A STOEY 


ing red hair that adorned his young companion's 
head. 

‘^Because your hair is black and curly I sup- 
pose you’re safe,” retorted George. The two 
friends loved to banter each other. 

^^Well, I’m not so sure of that,” said Alec. 

^ ‘ At any rate I hope I may be able to keep out of 
his way.” 

You haven’t told me about him yet,” George 
reminded his friend. 

‘‘That’s true. You know I saw him just 
about a year ago.” 

“Is that so? Where was that?” 

“At Vincennes. Just a year ago this month 
it was ; August 12, 1810, was the exact date as I 
recall it. ’ ’ 

“Go on,” urged George eagerly. “You’ve 
got to tell me, you know.” 

‘ ‘Well, it was like this, ’ ’ Alec began. ‘ ‘ Along 
about September, 1809, there was a treaty made 
at Fort Wayne between the Delawares, Miamis 
and Pottawattomies and General Harrison, who 
represented the United States as commissioner. 
By this treaty the Indians gave to the govern- 
ment a tract of land extending along the Wabash 
Eiver above Vincennes. Now this was all done 
13 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


without the knowledge of Tecumseh and when 
he heard of it he was furiously angry/ ^ 

‘‘But/’ protested George, “what did Tecum- 
seh have to do with it anyway T’ 

“Nothing at all,” said Alec. “The Miamis 
had owned the land for a longer time than any 
one could remember and the whole transaction 
was legal in every way. The chiefs of the other 
tribes attended the council and all agreed to the 
provisions of the treaty. At any rate Tecum- 
seh didn’t belong to any of the tribes concerned. 
He is a Shawnee.” 

“Where was he while the treaty was being ar- 
ranged T’ 

“He was off trying to stir up some other 
tribes against the Americans, that’s where he 
was. When he returned and found out what 
had been done he was furious. He threatened 
to kill all the chiefs who had signed the treaty 
and he boasted that he would never allow the 
United States to survey or occupy the land in 
question. ’ ’ 

“He had nerve all right, didn’t he?” ex- 
claimed George, who was much impressed by 
the red man’s brave attitude. “How old a man 
is he now, anyway?” 


14 


A STORY 


‘‘Let^s see,’’ mused Alec. ^‘He was born in 
1768 and this is 1811; that would make him 
about forty-three, wouldn’t it?” 

‘‘Was he born around this part of the coun- 
try?” 

“No. Over in Ohio on the Mad River, I be- 
lieve. He was one of three brothers all bom 
at the same time. Did you ever hear of his 
brother, the Prophet?” 

George acknowledged that he never had. 

“Well,” said Alec. “I’ll tell you about him 
sometime too, but now I’ll go on with my story 
if you still want to hear it.” 

“Of course I want to hear it.” 

“Well, Tecumseh was mad when he heard 
what had happened and made a lot of threats, 
just as I told you. General Harrison heard of 
it and at once invited him to come down to Vin- 
cennes and talk things over. General Harrison 
told him that if he had any good claims to the 
land they would be allowed, and that at any rate 
he had better come down and state his case. I 
happened to be at Vincennes at that time with a 
load of skins and so I saw the whole proceed- 
ing. I shall never forget it either.” 

“Did Tecumseh come alone?” 

15 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘He did not. He had several hundred war- 
riors with him and they certainly made a great 
sight as they all sat around on the grass. 

“There were soldiers there too, weren’t 
there?” asked George. 

“Oh, yes. All in all it was quite a large 
gathering. Well, after the usual formalities 
Tecumseh got up to speak.” 

“What does he look like?” demanded George. 
“I suppose he was all painted up, wasn’t he?” 

“Not at all. I guess Tecumseh doesn’t care 
much about all the gaudy things that most In- 
dians like. He was just dressed in simple deer- 
skin, but he looked like a chief all right. He’s 
a little fatter than most Indians, but I imagine 
he gets around about as fast as any of ’em. He 
stands up very straight, and his face is stern, 
and his eyes just look you through and through. 
They say he’s usually pretty quiet but he’s a 
great speechmaker when he gets started; any 
one will tell you that. He ’s smart too ; the fact 
that the United States always sends her best 
man to treat with him proves that. ’ ’ 

“What did he speak about that day?” 

“Well, he got up and started a long harangue 
about the Great Spirit having made the Western 
16 


A STORY 


World for the use of the Indians, and the In- 
dians only. He said the white man had no right 
to come there and take their land away from 
them ; furthermore he said that all the land was 
owned in common by every tribe and that no 
tribe had any right to sell any land unless all 
the others also gave their consent. 

‘ ‘ That was a queer statement to make, ^ ’ re- 
marked George. 

‘‘WasnT it! Everyone knows that the dif- 
ferent tribes all hate one another and they fight 
every chance they get. As though you could 
ever get the consent of all ! ’ ^ And Alec snorted 
at the very idea of anything so absurd. 

Still it^s hard to blame the Indians for not 
wanting to give up their lands, said George. 
‘‘We’d probably feel the same way.” 

“But this was a straight sale,” protested 
Alec. “No one was trying to steal the land or 
rob them of it; they didn’t have to sell unless 
they wanted to. ’ ’ 

“What did General Harrison say to Tecum- 
seh’s speech!” 

“Well, he said something pretty good all 
right. He said that what Tecumseh had 
claimed was all wrong ; he said that the Indians 
17 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


were just like the white people and were di- 
vided into different tribes and nations ; he said 
the Great Spirit never intended the Indians 
should all have the same interest and the fact 
that they spoke so many different languages 
proved that ; he said that at any rate Tecumseh 
could have no claim to the land in question be- 
cause he was a Shawnee and that tribe had origi- 
nally come from Georgia, while the land sold 
on the Wabash had been in the possession of the 
Miamis beyond the memory of any man liv- 
ing/' 

^‘What did Tecumseh think of that?" ex- 
claimed George. 

‘‘Well, say," said Alec, “you just ought to 
have been there to see what he thought." 
The trapper became greatly excited at the 
memory of what had taken place ; he rested the 
butt end of the rifle, which he had been cleaning, 
on the floor between his legs while he grasped 
the barrel in both hands and leaned forward 
eagerly. Night had fallen outside and the 
plaintive call of a hoot owl sounded across the 
tiny clearing. They were in the heart of the 
wilderness. 

A moment later Alec continued. “General 
18 


A STORY 


Harrison had hardly finished talking when Te- 
cumseh jumped to his feet. Ht is all false T he 
shouted, and then he gave a signal and every 
Indian there jumped up off the ground, his 
tomahawk or his war club in his hand. General 
Harrison sprang up from his seat and drew his 
sword. I can tell you things looked pretty 
black. ^ ’ 

‘‘Didn’t General Harrison have any armed at- 
tendants!” 

“His personal attendants weren’t armed and 
the only guard he had was a sergeant and twelve 
men. Well, both parties stood and glared at 
each other for a while, but General Harrison 
never flinched and the Indians got sort of 
scared. Finally the general broke the silence 
and told Tecumseh that he was a bad man, that 
he wanted nothing more to do with him, and 
that he must leave the camp at once. ’ ’ 

“Did he go!” demanded George deeply in- 
terested in his friend’s tale. 

“He certainly did.” 

“And no fight took place!” 

“Well that night all the militia in the neigh- 
borhood was ordered into the town, for every 
one thought surely the Indians would attack the 
19 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


place, but they didn’t. The next day there was 
another conference and Tecumseh sort of half 
apologized for his actions. He said he didn’t 
want to go to war with the United States but he 
was determined to defend the old boundary, and 
there the matter ended. He said he would 
rather fight with the United States than with 
the British but unless the Americans would 
promise to give up the land he would join the 
English against them.” 

‘‘What has he been doing since then!” asked 
George. 

‘ ‘ Going around the country stirring up all the 
tribes as far as I can see,” said Alec, “and now 
they’ve started in on their border raids.” 

As he finished speaking the call of an owl 
was again wafted across the clearing. This 
time, however, it seemed to come from a ditfer- 
ent direction than when it had been heard be- 
fore. Alec half raised his rifle and cocking his 
head slightly to one side listened intently. 
“That’s queer,” he muttered. 

“What’s queer!” demanded George, puzzled 
by his companion’s behavior. 

Alec made no answer. 


CHAPTER II 


THE HOOT OF AN OWL 

F or some moments there was absolute 
silence in the little dwelling. The trapper 
sat still, as if suddenly changed into stone. His 
great muscular hands gripped his rifle tightly, 
while his young companion did not once remove 
his gaze from his friend ^s face. 

Alec’s coat was otf, his coarse shirt was un- 
buttoned at the neck, and George could not help 
admiring the man’s great strength so apparent 
to any one who saw him thus. Muscles rippled 
across his chest and shoulders and as George 
noted the powerful hands and forearms of his 
friend he shuddered involuntarily to think 
what might happen to any one who should come 
within his grasp. 

Outside a cricket chirped and the wind rustled 
the leaves of a great tree that stood beside the 
door. The flickering blaze of a pine knot 
lighted up the tiny room with a ghostly flare and 
21 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


did little to relieve the tension that pervaded 
the air. George could feel his heart pounding 
in his breast and he almost held his breath as 
he gazed fixedly at his companion. Alec was 
alarmed, but why? He had heard the hoot of 
an owl but surely that was not a sound to alarm 
a woodsman. 

George knew however that Alec was not a 
man to look for trouble and consequently he 
remained quiet and awaited developments. 
What seemed like hours passed and George was 
beginning to think that after all his comrade 
had been deceived. Then he thought of Tecum- 
seh and remembered that they had just been 
talking about the red chief’s border raids. He 
shivered at the thought and then dismissed the 
idea as silly. Why should any Indian wish to 
attack two peaceful trappers? 

His mind kept returning again and again to 
the Indians, however, and try as he might he 
could not dismiss them from his mind. A 
branch blew against the side of the cabin and at 
the noise George almost cried out. It seemed 
to him he could endure the strain no longer. 
Still Alee sat motionless, apparently not having 
moved a muscle of his face or body. 

22 


THE HOOT OF AN OWL 


‘^Say, A1 — ” began George in a low voice 
when he was suddenly interrnpted. Once again 
the call of a hoot owl came to his ears. 

Instantly Alec was all action. Springing 
hastily to his feet he locked and donble-barred 
the door ; then he turned to the tiny window that 
furnished light during the day, and hung a 
blanket over it so that no one from the outside 
could peer within. 

‘‘WhaFs wrong, AlecT’ demanded George 
excitedly. He had instantly seized his rifle, 
however, and with a hasty glance satisfied him- 
self that the priming was all right. 

^Hndians,’’ said Alec briefly. 

‘‘How do you knowT’ 

“HidnT you hear that callT’ 

“I heard an owl.’’ 

“That was no owl. That was an Indian.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Positive. Don’t pass in front of where that 
window is, either.” 

George moved over to the place where Alec 
was standing by the door and at the same time 
was out of line with the window. They both 
crouched low and listened intently. The silence 
became almost appressive. 

23 


3 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘Hs it safe to stand by the door?^’ whispered 
George doubtfully. 

Their bullets will never penetrate this 
door,’’ said Alec. ‘‘The red fiends!” he added 
under his breath. 

“Do you think they’ll attack us?” 

“ Can ’t tell. W e ’ve got to be ready anyhow. ’ ’ 

The minutes dragged along and nothing hap- 
pened to disturb the apparent peace and quiet of 
the night. George began to think that perhaps 
Alec had been deceived after all. He was on 
the point of voicing his opinion to his friend 
when there was a sudden crash. A bullet wing- 
ing its way through the window, tore a hole in 
the blanket and knocked a tin pail from the 
table. It fell to the fioor with a clatter. 

‘ ‘ Look out ! ’ ’ warned Alec. ‘ ‘ Duck lower ! ’ ’ 

George needed no second urging and was in- 
stantly flattened out on the floor, as close up 
against the wall as he could squeeze. 

“Who said that was an owl?” inquired Alec 
grimly. 

“I did,” said George, “but I take it back.” 

“Lucky this cabin was built the way it was,” 
said Alec. “Come here and I’ll show you some- 
thing.” 


24 


THE HOOT OF AN OWL 


George wormed himself along on his stomach 
until he reached a spot close to his friend. 

‘^See that spotT’ whispered Alec. ‘‘That^s 
a porthole and all I have to do is give it a pull 
and it will open right up. The wood is double 
thickness, three feet high around the sides so 
that no bullets can go through.’’ 

‘ ‘ Suppose they sneak up and set fire to us. ’ ’ 

‘‘Depends on how many there are of them. 
If there are only a few and they think we are 
ready for them they may not dare come close.” 

At that instant, however, a second bullet fol- 
lowing the course of the other one through the 
window struck the blazing pine knot squarely. 
It was splintered and sent hurtling into the far 
corner of the room where it spluttered weakly 
for a moment and went out. The cabin was left 
in complete darkness. 

“That’s a nice state of affairs,” muttered 
Alec disgustedly. 

“Want me to light another?” asked George 
quickly. 

“No. Stay where you are. I’m going to 
open this porthole.” 

Carefully he swung back the little door and 
peered out. George could not see him, for the 
25 


THE TEAIL OP TECUMSEH 


room was inky dark, but be knew instinctively 
what was taking place and he could hear the 
slight grating noise as the porthole was opened. 

can just see the moon coming up over the 
trees, announced Alec after one cautious look 
around. 

‘‘Thatdl help us,’’ said George. ‘‘We’ll be 
able to see something.” 

‘ ‘ I hope so, ’ ’ muttered the trapper. ‘ ‘ Here, ’ ’ 
he added, “you come and station yourself at 
this porthole and without taking any unneces- 
sary chance see if you can’t keep watch of what 
is going on outside there.” 

‘ ‘ Where are you going 1 ’ ’ 

“There’s more of these portholes in the cabin. 
I’m going over to the other side of the room and 
open up another. I know where they are so 
you stay there. Keep a sharp lookout. ’ ’ 

“I’ll do that all right.” 

“And have your gun ready. If you see any 
of them red prowlers send ’em one of your lead 
pills.” 

George promised to follow instructions and 
i\lec crawled off, groping his way along in the 
darkness. Left alone George felt for the open- 
ing and finding it, peered out cautiously. 

26 


THE HOOT OF AN OWL 

Grasped tightly in his right hand he held his 
rifle. 

At first he saw nothing. The moon, now 
risen above the tops of the trees, suffused the 
clearing with its light and as George’s eyes be- 
came adjusted he began to recognize various ob- 
jects. Against the sky the forest trees were 
outlined, and, as time passed, the stumps and 
rocks in the clearing could be distinguished.^ 
Meanwhile the moon rose higher and higher and 
George’s ability to see increased in proportion. 

His gaze wandered over the ground as far 
in both directions as the limited space of the 
porthole would permit, but he saw nothing to 
arouse his suspicions. He remembered Alec’s 
warning, however, and never for a moment re- 
laxed his vigilance. His position on the floor 
was cramped and uncomfortable, however, so 
that he was not enjoying himself very much. 

He quickly forgot all his discomforts when 
the hoot of an owl again sounded across the 
clearing. This time it seemed to come from a 
spot directly in front of him, but how far dis- 
tant he was unable to determine. Suddenly the 
call was answered, apparently from some place 
on the opposite side of the clearing. 

27 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Hear that?’’ hissed Alec from across the 
room. ‘ ‘ W atch sharp. ’ ’ 

From behind a stump near the border of the 
clearing George saw a figure suddenly spring 
up and run swiftly forward. The young 
pioneer hastily raised his rifle and thrust it 
through the porthole but before he could aim 
the Indian threw himself down behind another 
stump, nearer the cabin. 

“I saw one of them,” exclaimed George in a 
low voice, not turning his head around however. 
“I had no chance to shoot, though.” 

“I saw one too,” said Alec. “He sneaked 
from one stump to another.” 

“Same as mine did.” 

“Well, just keep the stump where he is now 
well covered,” said Alec. “We’ll get ’em next 
time they stick their heads out. ’ ’ 

The minutes passed and then the call of an 
owl suddenly sounded again. Again it was 
echoed on the opposite side of the clearing. 

‘ ‘ Look out ! ’ ’ warned Alec. 

George held his gun ready for instant action. 
His finger was on the trigger and he carefully 
sighted the stump from behind which he ex- 
pected to see the Indian spring. None appeared 
28 


THE HOOT OF AN OWL 


as he had expected however. Instead he saw 
with the tail of his eye another savage drop 
from sight behind a stump near the one he had 
been watching. 

‘ ‘ He fooled me, ’ ’ he exclaimed. 

got fooled too,^’ said Alec angrily. 
‘‘There’s two over here.” 

‘ ‘ What shall we do ! ” 

“Keep an aim on the first stump I say. I 
don’t believe there’s more than four of them. 
If there were they’d have been up a good deal 
closer than they are by this time.” 

“Do you suppose they’ll signal again T’ 

“You can’t tell what they’ll do. Don’t count 
on it.” 

During this conversation neither one of the 
two friends had once turned his head or relaxed 
his caution. The Indians evidently had adopted 
their present method of advance, two at a time 
and from opposite directions, so that the chances 
of one reaching the destination were that much 
increased. 

George gazed fixedly at the stump, and when 
he had just begun to think that the Indian had 
moved without his knowledge or that he had 
been deceived in the first place, what he had been 
29 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


expecting to see took place. The Indian sud- 
denly appeared from behind the stump and 
keeping low to the ground darted forward. 
Instantly taking aim, George fired. 


CHAPTER III 


FLIGHT 

T here was practically no breeze and the 
smoke from George’s gun hung low, and 
for a moment obscured his vision so that he was 
unable to see whether or not his shot had taken 
effect. 

At that moment, however, there came a quick 
puff of smoke from behind the stump where the 
second Indian was hidden. Again a bullet tore 
through the blanket that covered the window 
and flattened itself against the opposite wall. 
Then Alec’s rifle spoke. 

Peering out into the moonlight George was 
unable to see a sign of any Indian. If his bullet 
had gone true and had found its mark it was 
possible that the savage might have fallen in a 
patch of long grass and thus have been ob- 
scured from view. The young pioneer was an 
expert marksman and it was not conceit that 
made him think it most unlikely that he had 
missed. 


31 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


got my man/’ announced Alec briefly. 
‘H saw him fall.” 

Both woodsmen had instantly reloaded their 
rifles and now were ready for more develop- 
ments. 

‘ ‘ You fired, ’ ’ said Alec. ‘ ‘ What luck did you 
haver’ 

don’t know. I couldn’t see whether I hit 
him or not. ’ ’ 

guess you did, all right,” said Alec con- 
fidently. ‘ ‘ That makes only two left. ’ ’ 

^^We’re not sure of that.” 

‘‘Pretty sure though. I wonder what they’ll 
do next.” 

By way of answer George’s gun spoke. He 
had suddenly spied a crouching form making 
for the edge of the clearing. With the report 
the Indian broke into a run, and as George’s 
bullet went wild he saw his foe gain the shelter 
of the trees before he could reload. 

“One of them just sneaked off into the 
woods,” he exclaimed excitedly. 

“That’s bad,” muttered Alec, still gazing 
earnestly out of his porthole. 

“Why so?” 

“It means he has gone for help.” 

32 


FLIGHT 


‘‘You think soT’ 

“I know so. They don’t dare come any 
nearer when there are only two of them but 
they’re probably mad now and determined to 
get us.” 

“What shall we do about it!” demanded 
George. ‘ ‘ If they can bring help before we get 
away it will be all over with us. ’ ’ 

“That’s just it; we must get away.” 

‘ ‘ Go now you mean ! ’ ’ 

“The sooner the better. You light one of 
the candles and we’ll get a few things together 
that we’ll need.” 

After much fumbling around in the darkness, 
George finally succeeded in striking a light. 
With the aid of its feeble blaze the two com- 
panions prepared themselves for fiight as speed- 
ily as possible. 

“We won’t take much,” said Alec. “We’ll 
travel light and fast.” 

“Where are we going f” 

“To Vincennes, if they don’t get us first.” 

“That’s pretty far.” 

“I know it, but it’s the only place for us. 
We’ll strike straight from here for the Wabash 
Kiver; I know where there’s a canoe we can 
33 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


take and well paddle the rest of the way/’ 

‘‘Do you suppose these raids are going on all 
along the border T’ George inquired. 

“No doubt of it, and it’s time they were 
stopped. I’m going to go right to Governor 
Harrison as quick as we get to Vincennes and 
make a complaint.” 

As large a supply of powder and shot as pos- 
sible was taken by each and then the matter of 
food was looked after. Dried meat and corn 
were the principal articles and soon the fugi- 
tives were ready to start. 

“We’d better take a look around before we 
go out,” suggested Alec. 

“Yes,” agreed George and started for the 
window. 

“Where you going!” demanded Alec sharply. 

“I’m going to lift the blanket and take a look 
out of the window.” 

“Well, you’re not going to do anything of the 
kind,” exclaimed Alec. “You keep away from 
that window. Do you want to commit sui- 
cide!” 

“No, I don’t,” said George meekly. “That’s 
the best place to see out, though.” 

“Best place to get shot you mean. We’ll do 
34 


FLIGHT 

all our seeing out of the portholes; they ^11 have 
to do us.’’ 

^‘Wouldn’t it be better if we waited for the 
moon to set before we started?” suggested 
George. 

‘Ht would,” Alec admitted. ‘‘It would be 
much better, but by that time there may be a 
whole pack of them red devils at our throats.” 

‘ ‘ But the Indian left behind out here will see 
us in the moonlight,” George protested. 

“He’ll see us, moon or no moon. Come on, 
we’ll go now.” 

Rifles in hand and packs slung across their 
shoulders the two pioneers approached the door. 
They had taken a hasty glance around the 
clearing, but seeing nothing had decided to 
start. 

“Blow out that candle,” whispered Alec. 

George did as he was told and then rejoined 
his comrade who stood by the door, his great 
brawny hands on the bolt. George touched 
his arm in the darkness. “All right,” he 
said. 

Noiselessly Alec drew back the bolts; then 
grasping the handle of the door gradually, and 
with infinite care, opened it. Nothing hap- 
35 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


pened to disturb the apparent peacefulness of 
the night, and no trace of any human being was 
to be seen. 

The gnarled stumps standing in the clearing 
were given weird and fantastic shapes by the 
moonlight, and to George ^s yoling and excited 
brain more than one of them had the exact ap- 
pearance of an Indian. He saw Indians dart 
from behind trees and spring up suddenly from 
clumps of grass and in fact his brain was so 
filled with thoughts of Indians that he saw them 
on every hand. He stuck close by Alec’s side 
as they made off across the clearing. 

No word was spoken as they hurried along. 
They kept as low as possible to the ground and 
zigzagged in their course as much as they were 
able. In their path was a large oak tree and as 
they passed beneath its overhanging limbs a 
sound came to their ears that made their very 
blood run cold. From a spot apparently in the 
depths of the foliage above their heads came the 
hoot of an owl. 

Both Alec anc^ George stopped still in their 
tracks and each one automatically swung his 
rifle to his shoulder. It seemed queer that one 
of their foes should be in the tree and that he 
36 


FLIGHT 


should so boldly disclose his hiding place. Yet 
they had both heard the call. 

At that instant a bullet whined through the 
air above them and cut its way through the 
leaves of the old oak. Close on its heels came 
the report of a rifle from the other side of the 
clearing. 

‘‘Duck!’’ hissed Alec quickly, and both fugi- 
tives quickly dropped to one knee, and were at 
a loss which way to look. That they were 
caught in a trap was the first thing to occur to 
each of them. Hardly had the bullet passed 
through the leaves, however, when an amazing 
thing happened. Prom the air above came the 
sound of wings and out of the tree flew a hoot 
owl. 

“Say,” exclaimed Alec in an awed voice. 
“It was a real one.” 

Without another word they turned and hur- 
ried on. A moment more and they reached the 
edge of the forest where it ran down to meet 
the clearing. Here they paused to decide on 
the next move. 

“That blamed owl fooled me,” grumbled Alec. 

“Maybe that was the one we heard all the 
time.” 


37 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^ ‘ No, it wasnT either. I know those first ones 
were fakes. 

‘‘We^d better keep going,’’ suggested George, 
looking back nervously in the direction whence 
the shot had come. 

‘‘Well, we’re going all right,” said Alec. 
“FoUow me.” 

He skirted the edge of the clearing for a short 
distance, then struck straight into the forest. 
Then he doubled back on his tracks for a con- 
siderable distance and then once again turned 
straight into the woods. This time he kept on 
going. 

Noiselessly and swiftly the two woodsmen 
traveled. They said nothing, but their eyes 
wandered ceaselessly in all directions, search- 
ing the gloom of the woods for any sign of the 
enemy. Creepers and various kinds of vines 
thrust out their clutching hands to trip the un- 
wary. Fallen trees barred their path, made 
doubly difficult by the darkness. As every one 
knows there are few places blacker than the in- 
terior of a forest at night. 

Close behind his companion George remained. 
Experienced as he was in woodcraft he found 
it no easy task to keep pace with the sturdy 
38 


FLIGHT 


trapper. Alec seemed tireless and possessed of 
an almost uncanny power to see at night. He 
glided swiftly along the forest aisles, skirting 
all obstructions and keeping steadily on his 
course. George had to use all his wits and all 
his skill to keep up the pace. It seemed to him 
that they had covered many miles and he was 
well-nigh exhausted when Alec finally called a 
halt. 

. He stopped and touching George on the arm 
pointed ahead. Through the trees a dim light 
was visible. 

^^What is it?’’ whispered George. 

‘‘The Wabash Eiver,” said Alec. “The 
moon is shining on it.” 

“Where’s the canoe?” 

“Come along and I’ll show you.” 

They crept forward cautiously until they had 
reached the river bank. They stood in the midst 
of a little cluster of bushes and looked out over 
the water which shone and sparkled in the light 
of the setting moon. A small inlet lay at their 
feet. Suddenly Alec seized his young com- 
panion violently by the wrist and drew him 
down into the clump of bushes in the center of 
which they were standing. 

4 39 


CHAPTER IV 


ON THE KIVEE 


ROUGHED low in the shelter of the leaves 



the two fugitives peered out across the 
river. Alec had spoken no word and George 
was at a loss to explain his comrade’s action; 
at the same time he knew better than to ask 
questions and had acted quickly and silently. 
To hesitate might have caused his death, and 
Alec’s as well, for all he knew. 

All at once he discovered the reason for his 
companion’s alarm. Clearly outlined in the 
moonlight and suddenly appearing from around 
a bend in the river he spied a canoe. In it were 
four Indians, every one of them wielding a 
paddle. The blades made no sound whatso- 
ever as the paddlers dipped them deep into the 
water ; the slight swish of the water against the 
prow was the only noise heard as the ghost-like 
craft slid swiftly along. 

The sight was not one to inspire the two 
watchers with any particular feeling of security, 


40 


ON THE EIVER 


but at the same time they could not help ad- 
miring the masterly way the paddlers worked. 
In silent admiration and awe they watched the 
canoe disappear downstream. 

^‘Whew!^’ whispered George. ‘^That was a 
close call.’’ 

^^Ssh!” hissed Alec. 

A second canoe, manned like the first now 
hove into sight. Behind it came another and 
then another. The naked bodies of the red- 
skins outlined against the moon made an awe- 
inspiring sight and one which neither Alec nor 
George enjoyed. 

The last canoe disappeared around a bend 
but neither of the two woodsmen crouching 
among the bushes moved. For many minutes 
they sat in silence, peering out for signs of any 
more enemies. None appeared, however, and 
finally Alec spoke. 

‘^Well, that makes it nice for us,” he whis- 
pered. 

‘‘That’s the direction we wanted to take, 
wasn’t it?” George inquired. 

“It was, and it still is.” 

“What shall we do about it?” 

“Well I don’t much like the idea of taking 
41 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 

the same route as them sixteen red devils.” 

‘‘But where else can we go?” 

“That’s just it,” grumbled Alec. “There’s 
no place else we can go.” 

“Where do you suppose those Indians are 
bound?” 

“Well, I wish I knew.” Alec had a great 
habit of commencing many of his sayings with 
the word “Well.” 

“If I did know,” he continued, “I should 
certainly see to it that we took a different 
route. ’ ’ 

“I suppose that was a war party,” suggested 
George. 

“Well, if they’d seen us I guess you’d have 
found out soon enough that your supposing is 
correct, ’ ’ muttered Alec grimly. ‘ ‘ Another one 
of them raiding parties, I guess. This business 
certainly must stop. ’ ’ 

“We can’t stay here all night,” said George, 
already stiff and sore from his cramped position 
on the ground. 

“We can stay here all night perhaps, but we 
can’t stay here all day,” corrected Alec. “As 
soon as it’s light, them red fiends will be hot on 
our trail from the clearing.” 

42 


ON THE EIVEE 


‘‘We doubled on our tracks/’ George re- 
minded him. 

“Well, suppose we did; that may delay ’em 
for a little while but not for long. They’ll fol- 
low our trail like bloodhounds. ’ ’ 

“Then I say that as soon as the moon goes 
down we’d better start,” said George. “Can 
you find the way in the dark!” 

“I can find it if no one interferes.” 

“Then I say we go. Where’s the canoe!” 

“Not fifty feet from here, but I thought 
you were going to wait for the moon to go 
down. ’ ’ 

“That’s true,” said George, sinking back into 
his former position, from which he had half 
raised himself. 

The big yellow moon sank lower and lower. 
Nearer and nearer it came to the tops of the 
trees until at length it sank below the rim and 
disappeared from view. The little waves 
lapped the shore and now and again a faint 
splash disclosed the fact that some fish had 
jumped. Otherwise silence reigned over the 
great wilderness. 

“Come,” urged Alec at length. “We’d bet- 
ter be moving.” 


43 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


He rose to his feet cautiously and peered fur- 
tively in all directions. George too lifted him- 
self up and side by side the two pioneers stood 
for a few moments. Nothing occurred to arouse 
their suspicions, however, and presently they 
stole forward. 

Leading the way Alec proceeded down to the 
shore and then followed the hank for a number 
of yards. He seemed to know his ground and 
walked confidently. Soon he came to a spot 
where a giant tree had been uprooted. It had 
stood close by the shore and in its fall had 
torn a great hole in the ground around its base. 
In the years that had followed vines and creep- 
ers had grown around the torn roots, form- 
ing a leafy roof for the cavity made by the 
tree. 

Thrusting his arm down through the canopy 
of vines Alec felt the canoe. A moment later 
he had drawn out the light craft from its hid- 
ing place and launched it on the river. 

‘‘Hold on to this end a minute,’’ he said to 
George. “I’ll go and get the paddles.” 

He walked quickly to a hollow tree which 
stood a short distance away and presently re- 
turned with two paddles. 

44 


ON THE RIVER 


‘‘All right/’ lie said, “we’re off now sure.” 

Each took his place in the canoe, deposited 
his rifle upon the bottom, and picked up a pad- 
dle. George seated himself in the bow and Alec 
worked from the stern. A moment later Alec 
pushed off from shore, and noiselessly they 
slid out into the stream. 

“Take it easy,” warned Alec in a low voice. 
“We don’t want to run into any surprise party 
if we can help it.” 

The moon had now disappeared behind the 
trees and only the stars overhead remained to 
light them. The water appeared inky black and 
forbidding. All that George could see ahead of 
him was the dark stretch of water and the course 
of the river marked by the forest trees outlined 
against the sky. It was a grewsome experience 
to go along that way, not knowing what was ly- 
ing in wait. 

Mile after mile they covered in silence. At 
least they did not talk, but their paddles made a 
slight noise, for they were not the experts that 
the Indians were. They laid their course along 
the middle of the stream, thinking that by so 
doing they ran less risk of a sudden surprise at- 
tack from either bank. Apparently the whole 
45 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


neighborhood was infested with marauding red 
men and they wished to avoid all hostile parties 
if possible. 

After what seemed several hours to George a 
few faint streaks of light appeared in the sky. 
The rose colored fingers of dawn spread them- 
selves over the heavens and the young woods- 
man heaved a sigh of relief. He had had enough 
of darkness and night, especially such a night 
as had just passed. 

Thank goodness, day is breaking,^’ he ex- 
claimed. 

‘^And that makes it bad for us,’’ said Alec in 
reply. 

^‘Why so?” 

‘‘Because if we can see in the daytime, so can 
the Indians.” 

“You mean they’ll attack us?” 

“Well, what else could I mean?” 

George relapsed into silence after this rebuff 
and made no further attempt at conversation. 
Meanwhile the light of the rising sun began to 
make objects recognizable along the river; 
rocks and bays and coves could be seen along 
the shore and a huge log floated along close 
by the canoe. 


46 


ON THE EIVER 


‘‘We’ll have to go ashore, I’m afraid,” re- 
marked Alec. 

“What for?” 

“Because I think it’s dangerous to travel 
in broad daylight.” 

“The Indians wouldn’t dare attack us when 
it’s light,” exclaimed George boldly. 

“Well, I guess that’s all you know about it,” 
snorted Alec. “You don’t think that sixteen 
Indians like those we saw last night would he 
afraid of two of us, do you?” 

“They might,” insisted George. 

“Well, they might not too,” sniffed Alec. “I 
say we go ashore.” 

“And stay there all day?” 

“If we have to; you can’t tell what might 
turn up.” 

“All right,” agreed George. “You know 
more about it than I do. I’ll do anything you 
think best.” 

“Well, the next cove we come to we’ll go in,” 
said Alec. “Keep watch for a good place.” 

“Perhaps there’ll be a place around that 
bend,” suggested George, pointing ahead to 
where there was a curve in the river. 

“All right,” said Alec, and with swift strong 
47 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


strokes the two woodsmen urged the light craft 
along. The sun was now risen and the whole 
country looked fresh and green and inviting in 
the early morning light; it did not seem as 
if there could he enemies lurking nearby. 
George ^s spirits had risen with the return of 
day and he had regained his confidence. He 
somehow scoffed at Alec’s fear of danger, but 
he knew his companion to be wise in the ways 
of the frontier and he did not argue the 
point. 

A few minutes passed and they rounded the 
curve. Ahead of them on the right appeared a 
little bay and almost directly opposite it on the 
other bank was a second cove. 

‘‘There are two places,” said George. 
“Which one shall we choose?” 

“Well, I don’t know,” said Alec as he rested 
his paddle across his knees. George too had 
ceased work and the canoe drifted idly along, 
nearly between the two points in question. 
“That one over on the right looks pretty good 
from here.” 

George followed his companion’s gaze and 
both looked interestedly at the spot on the right 
bank. 


48 


ON THE EIVER 


‘H guess that^s all right/ ^ he agreed. Still 
that other one is not so bad.’^ He turned and 
looked towards the other bank. 

As his gaze fell upon the little harbor he saw 
something that made the chills run up and down 
his spine. A canoe, with four Indians in war 
paint on board, suddenly shot out from shore 
and started towards them. 

‘‘Alec!^^ cried George excitedly. ‘^The In- 
dians ! ’ ^ 

Alec had seen them already, however, and he 
acted quickly. 

‘^You paddle as you have never done be- 
fore!’’ he ordered George. “We’re going for 
that cove on the right hand bank.” 

“But—” 

“Don’t argue; paddle!” said Alec curtly. 

George did paddle. He drove the blade deep 
into the water and exerted all his strength. 
Alec swung the bow around and headed for 
shore; the canoe sprang forward as if it were 
alive. 

Neither one of the fugitives glanced back, 
but with set teeth and a determination born 
of grim necessity exerted himself to the ut- 
most. 


49 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


A bullet struck the water just in front of 
them and skipped merrily along over the tiny 
waves. The two fleeing woodsmen only ex- 
erted themselves the more. Another leaden 
ball of death sang over their heads while the 
noise of the rifles followed close behind. 

‘‘Are they gaining?’^ exclaimed George with- 
out looking around. 

‘ ‘ I don T know. Paddle ! ’ ’ 

Ahead of them, perhaps fifty yards away, 
was shore. Behind them were the Indians 
and now the war whoop rang out across the 
river. 

This sound seemed to add strength to the de- 
termination of the two fugitives and desperately 
they plied their paddles. They were now en- 
tering the little cove which was their goal and 
just ahead of them showed the tiny beach for 
which they were headed. A moment more and 
they would be on shore and could seek the pro- 
tection of the woods. 

A bullet zipped past George’s head, but no 
attention was paid to it. He and his compan- 
ion were intent on reaching shore, not ten yards 
distant now. Suddenly there was a violent 
shock and both occupants of the canoe were 
50 


ON THE EIVEE 


nearly thrown overboard. The little craft had 
run upon a submerged log and was stuck 
fast. 

‘ ^ Grab your rifle ; hold it over your head and 
jump ! ^ ’ cried Alec. 


CHAPTER V 


A brush; with the Indians 

G eorge did as he was told. He turned 
quickly and seizing his rifle from the bot- 
tom of the canoe tried to jump. The canoe 
after finally coming to a stop had slowly tipped 
to one side and George was thrown out instead 
of jumping as he had planned. The fact that 
Alec leaped at the same instant did not make 
his task any easier. 

Luckily the water was only knee-deep, so that 
George was able to hold his rifle above his head 
and not wet the priming nor his precious store 
of powder. Staggering and stumbling he hur- 
ried ashore. Alec had preceded him and a mo- 
ment later they both were kneeling behind a 
large fallen tree a short distance up the bank. 

A yell of triumph from the pursuing canoe 
greeted their mishap and more eagerly than be- 
fore the Indians urged their little craft for- 
ward. Now, however, both George and Alec 
52 


A BEUSH WITH THE INDIANS 


had the protection of the fallen tree and could 
use it as a rest for their rifles as well. 

^‘Here goes one of those fiends to the happy 
hunting grounds/’ said Alec grimly, and tak- 
ing deliberate aim he fired. 

The foremost Indian in the canoe dropped 
his paddle and slid forward limply in his 
place. 

A yell of rage, and bullets from two of the 
other Indians answered this event. Fully pre- 
pared for such action, however, the two rifle- 
men behind the tree ducked their heads quickly. 
One bullet flattened itself against the impro- 
vised fort, while the other sang harmlessly over 
their heads. All this time Alec was hurrying 
desperately to reload his rifle. 

“It’s your chance now,” he muttered. “Let 
’em have it.” 

Lifting his head once more George took quick 
aim and fired. He saw one of the Indians in 
the middle of the canoe drop his gun and put 
his hand to his right shoulder. 

“Hit him?” asked Alec. 

“In the right shoulder.” 

“That’ll keep him from doing any more 
shooting any way.” 


53 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘They’re going away,” exclaimed George 
suddenly. 

“Well, here’s something to remember us by,” 
said Alec and he sent another bullet speeding 
towards the fast retreating canoe. His aim was 
poor, however, and a splash some feet to one 
side showed where the ball had hit the water. 
“Missed,” he muttered disconsolately. 

Eealizing that they were at a great disad- 
vantage in the combat the Indians had decided 
that to withdraw was their best policy. The 
white men on shore had excellent cover while 
the canoe provided an easy mark, clearly out- 
lined on the water. 

“Let ’em go,” exclaimed Alec as he watched 
the Indians moving rapidly farther and far- 
ther away. “We’d better go ourselves now.” 

“Go out on the river again?” exclaimed 
George in amazement. 

“Go out on the river again, nothing!” said 
Alec. “You must think I’m crazy.” 

“What do you mean to do?” 

“Strike across country, and we’d better get 
moving before those Indians collect some of 
their friends and start back after us.” 

“We’ve been up all night, you know.” 

54 


A BEUSH WITH THE INDIANS 


^‘Are you tired T’ 

‘‘Yes, some,’’ admitted George. “Why 
shouldn’t I be!” 

“Are you too tired to go on!” 

“That depends upon how necessary it is.” 

“Well, those fellows will be back after us soon 
enough. ’ ’ 

“Why can’t we sit right here and pick them 
off when they try to cross the river!” 

“Because there’s not one chance in a million 
that they’ll ever try to cross here. They’ll go 
up or downstream and sneak up on us from be- 
hind.” 

“If we could stay here all day we might go 
on down the river again tonight,” suggested 
George. 

“It’s a long time before dark,” said Alec. 
“If you’re able to stand it I think we’d better 
start across country.” 

“How far is it to Vincennes!” 

“It must be about fifteen miles,” said Alec 
after a moment’s thought. “I wish we had 
horses.” 

“So do I,” sighed George. “We can eat a 
little something now though, can’t we!” 

“I guess we can,” Alec agreed and they par- 
5 55 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


took sparingly of their scanty supply of meat 
and corn. 

‘‘What about the canoe demanded George. 
“Are you going to go away and leave that 
here!’^ 

“Well, I’d rather lose my canoe than my 
scalp,” said Alec. “I guess we’ll have to leave 
it where it is.” 

“You know the way to Vincennes T’ 

“I do.” 

“What’s between here and there?” 

“Oh, nothing but woods and prairies and 
bloodthirsty savages,” said Alec. “Isn’t that 
enough?” 

“It’s enough for me,” said George soberly. 
“I hope we get through.” 

“That’ll depend on how many Indians are 
around and how lucky we are. I hope we’re 
lucky.” 

“Well, let’s start,” exclaimed George, 
quickly rising to his feet. “If I stay here 
much longer I’ll go to sleep, Indians or no 
Indians.” 

“Come along,” exclaimed Alec jumping up. 
He glanced keenly out over the river once and 
then turned and plunged into the forest. 

56 


A BEUSH WITH THE INDIANS 


The day was warm and in fact a hot stretch 
of weather had not yet run its course. There 
had been no rain for many days and the woods 
were dry; they were also hot. It takes a long 
time for the heat to penetrate the forests but 
once it does, they retain it and oftentimes be- 
come most uncomfortable. 

The two travelers were soon thoroughly 
warmed up and the perspiration rolled from 
their faces in great drops. Nor did the load 
they carried seem any lighter on account of the 
heat. 

^^Whew!^’ exclaimed George, after a mile or 
more had been covered. ‘‘This is awful. 

“Well, you can stay here and get scalped if 
you want to,’’ said Alec shortly. “Personally 
I’d rather go on to Vincennes.” 

“Is it on this side of the river*?” 

“No, the other.” 

“How will we get across?” 

“In a boat of course.” 

“A ferry?” 

“Well, you didn’t think I was going to make 
a boat, did you?” 

Alec was irritable and when in that condition 
he was apt to be sarcastic. Perceiving this 
57 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


George decided the best thing for him to do 
was to let his companion alone; he knew the 
state of mind the trapper was in but it did not 
worry him. He knew that though Alec might 
sometimes be short or curt in his manner, his 
heart was of pure gold. If he knew a man was 
deserving, Alec would gladly give him the coat 
off his back or the last cent he owned. Such 
qualities are more important than pleasant talk. 

George suffered intensely from the heat, 
however. He was also very tired and he longed 
for some cool spot where he might lie down 
and sleep; a cooling draught of water would 
also have been appreciated at this time. On 
they plodded, however, neither one speaking, 
and as Alec showed no signs of stopping 
George began to lose hope of securing the 
much-wished-for rest. He would not have ad- 
mitted his feelings to Alec for the world, how- 
ever. 

All at once Alec halted. ‘‘We ^11 rest here,^’ 
he announced briefly. 

“Is it safeT^ questioned George. Now that 
the chance had come he was doubtful of its 
wisdom. 

“You sleep and I’ll keep watch,” said Alec. 

58 


A BRUSH WITH THE INDIANS 


“But thaUs not fair,^’ protested George 
warmly. 

“You heard what I said, didn’t you?” de- 
manded Alec. “You’re going to sleep while I 
stay on guard.” 

“If you’ll promise to take turns with me I’ll 
agree to that,” said George. “Wake me up in 
an hour.” 

“All right. I’ll promise that.” 

“I wish I had a drink of water,” sighed 
George. “I’m certainly thirsty.” 

“There’s a spring right over there,” said 
Alec, pointing to a spot some thirty yards dis- 
tant. “I know every foot of this country.” 

George quickly went over to the spring, and 
kneeling on the bank took a long drink of the 
clear cold water. Then he dashed some over 
his head and let it run down his spine ; he held 
his arms deep down in the crystal pool and 
presently felt very much refreshed. Returning 
to the spot where Alec was waiting he threw 
himself upon the ground and almost immedi- 
ately went fast asleep. Thoughts of hostile 
red men did not disturb the tired young 
trapper’s rest. 

Alec had agreed to let him sleep for an hour, 
59 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


but it seemed only a moment when George felt 
himself being shaken by the arm and heard the 
trapper’s voice in his ear. 

‘^Wake up,” whispered Alec excitedly. 
‘‘There’s some one coming.” 


CHAPTER VI 

A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 

I NSTANTLY George was wide awake. One 
of the first things that a life of hardship 
and adventure teaches is that it may be fatal 
to waste time in waking up. 

^‘Some one is coming/’ repeated Alec. 
Without a word George seized his gun and 
after a quick glance at the priming slunk 
farther back into the hushes. Side by side the 
two fugitives crouched, waiting for the appear- 
ance of the traveler whoever he might be. 

The sound of a horse’s hoofs rapidly draw- 
ing nearer came plainly to their listening ears. 
They pounded furiously on the dry ground and 
apparently the horseman was in a desperate 
hurry. As far as the two companions were 
able to judge there was but one horse. 

‘‘Sounds as though it was running away,” 
whispered George. 


61 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


queer,’’ muttered Alec with a puzzled 
look on his face. 

A slight trail led along in front of the spot 
where Alec and George were waiting. Un- 
doubtedly the horseman must pass close by. 
Nearer and nearer thundered the flying hoofs. 

‘‘Have your gun ready,” cautioned Alec in 
a whisper. 

With rifles ready for instant use the fugi- 
tives crouched in silence. 

Suddenly a sight that caused them both to 
gasp met their astonished gaze. Down the 
forest trail came a big black horse, flecked with 
foam, wild-eyed and with nostrils distended. 
Around his neck clung a man; his face was 
white and his eyes were wide with terror. 
There was no saddle nor bridle on the horse, 
and its rider maintained his place on its back 
by the narrowest of margins. 

“Stop him!” shouted Alec and not hesitat- 
ing a moment he leaped out in the pathway in 
front of the runaway. 

The horse swayed violently at the unexpected 
figures suddenly springing out from the bushes. 
The shock was too great for his rider and as if 
shot from a springboard he flew from the 
62 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


horse’s back, and landed in a heap on the 
ground. Face downward he lay, not moving a 
muscle. 

‘‘He’s dead,” cried George in alarm, as he 
sprang forward to the side of the dismounted 
horseman. The horse itself had continued its 
mad pace and its hoof beats could now be heard 
growing fainter and fainter in the distance. 

“Dead, me eye!” said the man on the ground 
faintly. 

“Eoll him over,” ordered Alec, who had not 
heard the man’s remark. “We’ll soon see 
what’s wrong with him.” 

The dismounted rider rolled himself over, 
however. With many a groan and sigh he 
turned over until he lay flat on his back. His 
face was dirty from its contact with the soil 
and he was bleeding from a slight cut on his 
forehead. A feeble grin spread over his coun- 
tenance, which was unmistakably Irish in its 
cast. 

“Well,” exclaimed Alec, “where were you 
going on that horse f” 

“Ye’ll hav’ t’ask th’ horse,” said the Irish- 
man. “ ’Twas he was th’ boss, not me.” 

“Are you hurt?” demanded George. 

63 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Me feelings is hurt, and me body is some- 
what sore,’’ replied the son of Erin. “Other- 
wise I’m foine.” 

“Come over to the spring and get a little 
cold water on your face and head,” urged 
George. “That’ll fix you up.” 

“A good scheme, me bye,” said the Irish- 
man. “Will ye help me up?” 

He was quickly assisted to his feet and a mo- 
ment later was bathing his dirty and blood- 
smeared face in the cool spring water. When 
he had finished they all sat down on the bank 
and Alec turned to their new-found friend. 

“Well,” he exclaimed. “Tell us all about 
it.” 

“I’ll do thot,” said the Irishman readily. 
“First of all I want t’ tell ye me name; it is 
Dinnis O’Connell.” 

“Dennis is a good old Irish name,” smiled 
George. 

“Me name was nearly changed t’ mud jist 
now though,” said Dennis grimly. “Thot 
blitherin’ black baste of a horse was near the 
end o’ me.” 

“He was fast,” said Alec. 

“Indade he was,” agreed Dennis, “but I’d 
64 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 

rayther take it a bit aysier meself even though 
Tis slower. I prafer th’ solid ground to the 
back of a wild horse. 

George and Alec smiled at the grim earnest- 
ness of their new friend. His face was very 
serious, though like the most of his race he 
could not help seeing the humorous side of life. 
The two woodsmen told their names to Dennis, 
and the introductions being over the Irishman 
proceeded with the tale of his adventures. 

’Twas thim bloody Injuns,’^ he exclaimed. 

’Twas thim was after me. The divils!’’ he 
added angrily. was pursuing me paceful 
course through the woods whin I hears a 
horrible yell an’ two o’ thim red fellers comes 
a swoopin’ down on me. Well, I was shure 
’twas all over, but instid o’ killin’ me on th’ 
spot they took me prisoner. Thot was yister- 
day. Last night we slept side by side in the 
woods, one o’ thim on each side o’ me. I kept 
thinkin’ t’ meself all th’ time how it was I could 
escape thim, for I sortinly had no desire t’ be 
tortured for th’ intirtainmint o’ the In jins’ 
wives back in their village.” 

‘‘Pretty hard to get away with one on each 
side of you I should think,” remarked George. 
65 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


word ^hard’ does not ixpress said 
Dennis. Their two horses was standin’ close 
at hand an’ I was figurin’ how to jump up an’ 
get on th’ back o’ one o’ th’ bastes an’ make 
me escape. I had scarcely been on a horse in 
all me life.” 

‘‘I can believe that all right,” smiled 
George. 

‘‘Thim Injins was so dost I could feel thim 
up ag’inst me,” continued Dennis. was not 
tied for I suppose they thought they could 
/ handle me with no trouble, but I fooled thim. 
Jist as ’twas commincin’ t’ git light this 
marnin’ I gave thim a turrible jolt. They was 
both o’ thim lyin’ face up; I raised both me 
hands up very quiet, and thin I doubled up me 
fists and I brought thim down one on each o’ 
thim In jin’s stummicks.” 

Dennis smiled broadly at the recollection. 

‘^Well, say,” he continued. ‘‘Ye should a’ 
seen thim. They give one turrible grunt an’ 
I’ll bet their supper was greatly disturbed. A 
blow in th’ stummick is always bad ye know, 
but whin yez are asleep ’tis worse. Before they 
recovered thimsilves I gave thim each a good 
belt in the eye an’ thin I ran. I grabbed th’ 
66 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 


first horse I seen an’ I leaped on his back an’ 
off I wint.” 

‘‘Where did you plan to go?” asked Alec. 

“I had no plans but to lave thot district. I 
left it all right, too. One o’ th’ Injins come 
t’ life an’ sint a bullet flyin’ after me; it 
sthruck me horse across the hind quarther, jist 
a glancin’ blow, but it made him run. I thot 
he was niver plannin’ to stop an’ if ye hadn’t 
scairt him so he threw me off, I suppose we’d 
a been goin’ yit.” 

“I didn’t mean to have you thrown off,” said 
George. “I was just trying to stop the horse.” 

“I’m glad ye did whot ye did,” said Dennis 
feelingly. “I’ve had enough horseback ridin’ 
t’ last me all me life.” 

“Where were you going when the Indians 
captured you?” inquired Alec. 

“T’ Vincennes.” 

“That’s where we are bound,” exclaimed 
Alec. “Your horse helped you over a lot of 
ground all right.” 

“What were you going to do at Vincennes, 
Dennis?” asked George. 

“T’ git away from th’ Injins,” said Dennis. 
“Near th’ spot where I live this feller they caU 
67 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Prophet has a big camp full o’ th’ lawless 
beggars. It was gettin’ too hot fur Dinnis an’ 
I decided to lave an’ go t’ some place where 
a mon could live in pace an’ quiet.” 

‘^Did any Indians attack you up there?” in- 
quired George. 

‘‘Not me,” said Dennis. “They’ve been 
murtherin’ other poor and paceful sittlers ivery 
now an’ thin, howiver. I under sthand thot the 
Governor is t’ call out the militia an’ it’s me 
that wants t’ be one o’ th’ first t’ jine.” 

“I’ll join myself if they want volunteers,” 
exclaimed Alec readily. “I think it’s time the 
settlers had some security on the border.” 

“I’ll join too,” echoed George. “Here’s 
three good recruits right here.” 

“If we iver git t’ Vincennes,” sighed Dennis. 
“Thim bloody Injins will do all in their power 
t’ prevint our reachin’ there.” 

“Well, that’s true enough,” agreed Alec, 
“and I think we’d better start on again. Do 
you feel able to travel all right, George?” 

“Yes, indeed,” said George. “As a matter 
of fact I had almost forgotten that I was tired 
at all.” 

“Yez had better git t’ some safe place as 
68 


A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 

fast as ye can,’’ said Dennis, looking solemnly 
at George. ‘‘Any lad with hair th’ color o’ 
yours had better be careful. A fine rid scalp 
like thot would sortinly please one o’ thim 
Injin chiefs.” 

“They’ll have some trouble taking this one, 
I can tell you,” remarked George grimly. “I 
need this scalp myself.” 

“Well, let’s be moving then before they come 
and take it away from you,” exclaimed Alec, 
rising to his feet. 

“Oh, but I’m sore,” groaned Dennis, pain- 
fully lifting himself. “I sortinly would not 
want t’ ride very much on horseback.” 

“You’d soon get used to it,” smiled George. 
“I wish we had three good horses now and we’d 
soon be there.” 

“For mesilf,” said Dennis, “I’d almost 
rather see In jins than horses. I’m through 
with thim beasts except t’ draw me in a cart.” 

The three travelers, however, saw neither 
horses nor Indians, and as dusk began to settle 
over the landscape they came within sight of 
Vincennes. 


CHAPTER VII 


VINCENNES 

I T was fast growing dark as the tired little 
party arrived at their destination. The 
settlement at Vincennes, however, had not gone 
to rest and they found there many others like 
themselves who had fled from their homes to 
seek the protection of their fellow settlers. 
Refugees were constantly pouring in from all 
directions to escape the depredations of the 
Indian bandits. 

The little town, situated on the banks of the 
Wabash River, was full of bustle and excite- 
ment. Almost every person there had some 
experience to relate of an encounter with the 
red men.^ The main topic of conversation was 
Tecumseh, his brother Ellskwatawa, the 
Prophet, and the raids and murders perpetrated 
by their followers. 

Well, what is going to be done about it allP’ 
asked Alec of an old acquaintance of his, 
70 


VINCENNES 


Pierre Lamartine by name. Lamartine was 
French, a rover, and had lived on the frontier 
since his early childhood ; he was now over fifty 
years old, known the length and breadth of the 
border settlements and generally regarded as 
the best rifle shot in the country. His hair was 
grizzled and his face seamed and browned by 
constant exposure to the wind and sun. He 
was large and the fact that he wore coat and 
leggings of tanned deerskin and a coonskin hat 
on his head made him a very striking figure. 

‘‘Ziss is going to be done about it,’’ said 
Pierre Lamartine in response to Alec’s ques- 
tion. ‘‘All ze inhabitants round about here zey 
hold a meeting on ziss spot not ver’ long ago; 
zey draw up a petition and send it to ze presi- 
dent of ze United States at Washington. In 
ziss petition all zere grievances zey are set 
forth and zey demand zat a stop might be put 
to zese outrage.” 

“Will it do any good!” asked Alec. 

“Of course zey do some good,” exclaimed 
Pierre. “Eet iss too early yet to get a reply, 
but you just wait till she come and zen you will 
see. What iss a government for if it iss not 

to protect ze people.” 

6 


71 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^But the people must stand by the govern- 
ment/’ said George. 

‘ ‘ Certainly, ’ ’ agreed Pierre. ‘ ^ A man should 
give as well as take.” 

‘‘I’d like t’ give thim In jins somethin’,” ex- 
claimed Dennis feelingly. 

“Well, I guess maybe you’ll get a chance,” 
said Alec. “If they call out the militia you 
can enlist.” 

“I thought it had already been called out,” 
said Dennis. “Ye know I told ye they hod.” 

“You are ahead of ze time, I guess,” smiled 
Pierre. “Do not worry, zough; if you wish to 
fight ze Indians you will get your chance with- 
out much question.” 

“Well I’m not crazy about fightin’ thim/’ 
said Dennis. “At the same time,” he added 
with a broad grin, “I don’t think ye iver heard 
of an Irishman runnin’ away from a fight.” 

“That’s true,” laughed Alec. “No one 
could ever accuse the Irish of being cowards, 
that’s sure.” 

“By ze way,” said Pierre, “where it is that 
you three are planning to sleep for tonight?” 

“On the ground, if we can’t find anything 
better,” said Alec. 


72 


VINCENNES 


^‘Zat reminds me of a story about Tecum- 
seb/’ smiled Pierre. ‘‘He was having a meet- 
ing with Governor Harrison here in Vincennes ; 
be bad but just finished making a speech and 
was going to seat himself in a chair when he 
found zat none had been provided for heem. 
Ze governor he order one at once and when ze 
attendant hand it to Tecumseh he say to ze 
chief ‘Your father requests you to take a chair.’ 
Well, Tecumseh was mad for he thought zat he 
had been mooch insult. ‘My father he ex- 
claim. ‘Ze sun iss my father, and ze earth iss 
my mother; and on her bosom I will repose,’ 
and he sat down on ze groun’ in Indian fashion. 
He iss a ver ’ proud man all right. ’ ’ 

“What does the name Tecumseh mean in the 
Shawnee language asked George, who was 
greatly interested in everything having to do 
with the famous chief. 

“It means, a tiger crouching for its prey/* 
answered Pierre readily. 

“I’ll be hopin’ I’m not his prey,” said Den- 
nis solemnly. 

“Still if he only crouches it isn’t so bad,” 
laughed George. “If he should spring that 
would be ditferent.” 


73 


THE TEAIL OP TECUMSEH 


‘‘An’ if he crouches too long he might catch 
a cramp,” suggested Dennis. “Thin he would 
not be able t’ spring at all.” 

“Enough of ziss,” laughed Pierre. “Come 
wiz me and I will zee zat you all get comfort- 
able places for to sleep tonight.” 

No one of the little band of travelers made 
any objection to this suggestion. They were 
very tired after their experiences and their 
main desire was to sleep. George in particular 
was almost fagged out ; he had had no rest for 
nearly thirty-six hours and all that time had 
been almost constantly on the move. Dennis 
too was loud in his praises of the man who in- 
vented beds, and expressed a desire to honor 
him by remaining in one all night and most of 
the following day. 

Through the town the little party marched. 
Soldiers stood around in small groups or 
strolled up and down; they were regulars sta- 
tioned at Vincennes and hailed with delight the 
prospect of Indian fighting to break the monot- 
ony of the military routine. 

Darkness had now settled over the country 
and lights in the windows of the houses, and 
here and there in the barracks, showed that 
74 


VINCENNES 


many were thinking of rest. Straight through 
the town Pierre led his three friends; a house 
standing on the outskirts was his goal and to 
this he made his way. A candle burned in the 
narrow hallway, lighting up the bare walls and 
ceiling with a flickering glare. 

As the party of four were about to enter, a 
man suddenly appeared in the doorway. With 
a curt greeting to Pierre he hurried out and 
was quickly swallowed up by the darkness. 
George, who walked by the side of the French- 
man, could unconsciously feel his companion 
clench his hands and steel his muscles. Once 
inside, and the door shut, Pierre turned fiercely 
to his three friends. 

^‘Did you see zat manP^ he demanded 
tensely. 

‘‘I did,” said George. 

^‘So I did too,” added Dennis. noticed 
nothing queer about him though; he had two 
feet and two hands an’ — ” 

‘‘Mark zat man,” said Pierre, interrupting 
the gay-hearted Irishman. Evidently he con- 
sidered the matter nothing to joke about. 

“What’s the matter with him!” asked Alec 
curiously. 


75 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^Remember beem!’’ warned Pierre, ^‘He 
will give us trouble some day.’’ 

‘‘What makes you think so?” inquired Alec. 
“Anyhow I don’t believe I’d know him if I saw 
him again.” 

“He iss name Arnold Burch,” said Pierre. 
“I will point heem out to you in ze daylight 
tomorrow. ’ ’ 

“You suspect him?” said George much in- 
terested. “What’s it about?” 

“Sometime I will tell you,” answered Pierre. 
“Not now, but later. Come wiz me,” he added, 
and picking up the candle he led the way up 
the stairs. Seeing that further questions were 
useless George followed in silence and behind 
him came Alec and Dennis. 

At the head of the stairs was a door and 
opening it, Pierre ushered his guests into a 
large room containing a double bed and a cot. 

“Is this your house, Pierre?” asked Alec. 

“No, but my sister’s,” answered the French- 
man. “At present she iss absent wiz her hus- 
band. ’ ’ 

“What was that man Arnold Burch doing in 
your sister’s house?” inquired George, who 
was determined to find out all he could about 
76 


VINCENNES 

the man who had so evidently aroused their 
host^s ire. 

‘^He iss a boarder here,’’ said Pierre and 
dismissed the subject. ‘‘I hope zat you will be 
comfortable,” he added, and wishing the three 
friends good night he withdrew from the room. 

^ ‘ I should say that he had no use for Misther 
Burch,” observed Dennis after Pierre’s de- 
parture. 

‘^Evidently not,” agreed George. won- 
der what it’s all about.” 

Ye ’ll know later,” said Dennis. ^‘He said 
he’d tell us.” 

‘‘I shouldn’t worry about it,” remarked Alec, 
know I shan’t let it keep me awake anyway,” 
and the trapper laid himself down on the cot 
and was asleep almost instantly. 

‘^It looks as if you and I were going to sleep 
together, Dennis,” observed George with a 
smile. 

‘^It does that,” Dennis agreed. don’t 
know if I like the idea of sleepin’ with a red 
light in me face all night though.” 

‘^Do you mean my hair!” demanded George. 

‘^Ye didn’t t’ink I hod refirince to th’ moon, 
did ye!” 


77 


THE TBAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘Hnsult it all you want/^ laughed George. 
‘‘It suits me all right.’’ 

The young pioneer was soon ready for bed 
and as he lay there in the darkness his thoughts 
were of Arnold Burch and the strange enmity 
that Pierre showed for the man. What was it 
all about ? George was more curious than most 
people and the matter puzzled him. He did not 
like things he did not understand and he prom- 
ised himself that he would solve this mystery as 
soon as possible. 

He quickly fell asleep, only to dream of 
Arnold Burch. He saw the man stealing upon 
him and he was powerless to move; his limbs 
seemed to be paralyzed and his muscles refused 
to act. He saw hatred and malice outlined on 
every feature of his enemy’s face and he knew 
that a critical time had come. Closer and 
closer crept the man; George tried to cry out 
but his voice died away in his throat. He set 
himself for the shock. 

Burch stretched out his great gnarled hands 
and George shuddered as he saw them coming 
nearer and nearer to his throat. Suddenly 
Burch sprang at him and they became locked 
in each other’s grasp. Back and forth they 
78 


VINCENNES 


wrestled, the advantage resting first with one 
and then the other. Gradually, however, 
George felt his strength ebbing and he realized 
that his doom was sealed. He could see the 
fierce exultation on the dark countenance of his 
enemy. 

Gradually his head was bent back ; all at once 
Burch wrenched one arm free and raised it 
above his head ready to strike. George shut 
his eyes and resigned himself to his fate. Sud- 
denly as the blow was about to fall George 
awoke. 

‘‘Stop it! Stop it!’’ said a voice in his ear. 
“What are ye tryin’ t’ do? Commit murder?” 

“What’s the matter?” demanded George, 
now wide awake and sitting up in bed. 

“Ye ask what th’ matter is an’ you wit’ a 
grip on me throat that would stop me brathin’ 
intirely in about wan more second. I’ll take 
it back about yer rid hair if ye ’ll lave me alone 
from now on.” 

“I was dreaming about Arnold Burch,” 
sighed George, and lying down once more he 
almost immediately dropped off to sleep. 


CHAPTER VIII 


A KEMAEK BY PIEEBB 



S the days passed, more and more people 


JlX poured into Vincennes. Every one to ar- 
rive had some new tale of Indian outrage to 
relate and many had had personal experiences 
with the savages. The main topic of conversa- 
tion was the reply that the president would 
send to their petition. 

This speculation was soon settled, however. 
As speedily as the slow means of communica- 
tion in those days would allow, a message came 
from Washington. Alec was the first one of 
the party of four to learn of its contents, and 
hastened to inform his three companions. He 
found them returning from the river where 
they had been bathing. As sometimes happens 
in early September the weather was very warm. 

‘‘Well,^’ exclaimed Alec excitedly, ‘‘a reply 
has come from the president.” 

‘‘What does it say?” demanded all three, 
almost with one voice. 


80 


A EEMARK BY PIERRE 


‘^WeU,’’ said Alec, who was feeling very im- 
portant at being the distributer of such weighty 
news, ‘Hhere^s a regiment of United States’ 
troops coming here from Pittsburgh. I sup- 
pose they’re already on the way.” 

Spake up; ye’re among f rinds,” urged Den- 
nis as Alec paused. The trapper did not want 
to impart all his information at once and he 
was trying to make it last as long as possi- 
ble. 

‘‘Well,” continued Alec, “the governor is 
authorized to raise the militia.” 

“Who’s going to command?” inquired 
George. 

“He is.” 

“The governor?” 

“Yes, and he’s not only going to command 
the militia but the whole force of troops as 
well. ’ ’ 

“I inlist,” said Dennis briefly. 

“And I enlist,” added George, smiling at 
Dennis’s way of announcing his intentions. 

“As for me, I also shall enlist,” said Pierre. 

“Well, I guess I’m with you three,” observed 
Alec soberly. 

“Hooray I” shouted Dennis. “Three cheers 
81 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


fur Guv ’nor Harrison; and thin three fur th’ 
Irish,” he added under his breath. 

At this moment Arnold Burch was seen ap- 
proaching. He eyed the little group shrewdly 
and then walked over to the spot where they 
were standing. 

^‘What’s all the excitement?” he asked 
curiously. 

A damper seemed to be thrown on the four 
friends almost at once. Burch always affected 
them that way, though they did not know why. 
At least, three of them did not, and whatever 
reasons Pierre had for not liking the man thus 
far he had kept them to himself. Even the 
irrepressible Dennis seemed to lose some of his 
spirits when Burch came near. 

‘^The governor is going to call out the 
militia, and a regiment of regulars is coming 
from Pittsburgh,” said George. 

A shadow momentarily flitted across Burch’s 
face but it was gone at once and he resumed his 
mask-like expression again. 

‘^So?” he remarked calmly. ‘‘That’s very 
interesting.” He turned on his heel and 
walked away towards the center of the town. 

In silence the four friends stood and gazed 
82 


A REMAEK BY PIERRE 


after the retreating figure. Then with a com- 
mon impulse they turned and looked at one an- 
other, bewilderment showing itself on every 
face. 

‘^That’s a queer bird,’’ remarked Dennis. 

‘‘Well, I guess he is,” Alec agreed solemnly. 

“What do you make of him, Pierre?” in- 
quired George, anxious to hear the Frenchman 
express an opinion on the subject. 

“I will say but zis,” said Pierre fiercely. 
‘ ‘ Some day I will put a stop to Meester Burch. ’ ’ 

“Tell us what there is about him that you 
don’t like,” urged Alec. 

“No,” said Pierre with a shake of his head. 
“I cannot do zat. Some day, but not now.” 

Slowly they returned to the town and there 
they found an abundance of activity and excite- 
ment. As they neared their residence, if a 
simple cabin could be called by such a name. 
Governor Harrison himself rode by. In ad- 
miration the four comrades gazed at the fine 
looking man who was later destined to become 
president of the United States. 

“Three cheers for th’ guv ’nor,” shouted 
Dennis enthusiastically. He waved his cap 
around his head and the little group of people 
83 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


standing nearby cheered lustily. The governor 
smiled and tipped his hat in acknowledgment. 

‘‘A fine man!’^ said Dennis as the governor 
rode off down the street. 

“They come no better/^ said Alec, “and I 
donT know any one I would rather serve 
under. ’ ’ 

“This will be a bloody war, if it comes,’’ re- 
marked George. “I’d hate to be captured by 
the Indians; I can’t say I have any desire to 
be tortured.” 

“Don’t you know that Tecumseh promised 
Governor Harrison that there would be no 
cruelties inflicted on prisoners?” demanded 
Alec. 

“When did he do that?” 

“Why some time ago, when the governor had 
just about decided that there was no chance of 
preventing war, he had a talk with Tecumseh 
and they both agreed to that. ’ ’ 

“Will he live up to his agreement?” de- 
manded George skeptically. 

“I think so,” observed Pierre. “Tecumseh 
he is a man who tell ze truth.” 

“That’s right,” agreed Alec readily. “He’s 
a pretty good Indian, but he has a mistaken 
84 


A EEMARK BY PIERRE 


sense of duty. Even though his tribe has 
nothing at all to do with the land that the gov- 
ernment just bought from some of the other 
tribes, he thinks it is his duty to keep the white 
men out. At the same time I don^t believe he’d 
torture prisoners.” 

‘‘But suppose he was absint from the spot 
whin we was captured,” suggested Dennis. 

“In that case it might go bad with us,” Alec 
admitted. “Still I don’t expect to be captured, 
do you?” 

“Not unless th’ bloody Injin can run faster 
than me,” said Dennis. 

His companions laughed at this remark, but 
they knew full well that the fun-loving Irishman 
would be the last man of all to run from any 
one. He apparently feared nothing on the face 
of the earth. 

“Tecumseh isn’t at Tippecanoe anyway, is 
he?” asked George. 

“No,” said Pierre, “eet iss his brother, ze 
Prophet, who iss zere.” 

“And it’s the Indians at Tippecanoe who are 
causing all the trouble, isn’t it?” 

“Eet iss,” Pierre admitted. 

“Then,” demanded George, “why not blame 
85 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 

the Prophet for the trouble instead of Tecum- 

sehr^ 

“Because Tecumseh started it/’ Alec ex- 
plained. “He has been making a tour of all the 
tribes to get them to form a league against the 
Americans and these fellows at Tippecanoe 
wouldn’t dare do what they are doing unless 
they had his backing and support.” 

“Just where is Tippecanoe anyway?” in- 
quired George. 

“It’s up on the north bank of the river here, 
where the Tippecanoe flows into the Wa- 
bash.” 

‘ ‘ There is some sort of a settlement up there, 
I suppose.” 

“Well I guess there is!” exclaimed Alec. 
‘ ‘ The Prophet has several hundred crazy braves 
there ; young fellows they are, who are out for 
a lark and some scalps and they think that the 
Prophet can provide them with both.” 

“What do you think about that, Dennis?” 
asked George playfully. 

“I think they can hav’ their lark, but they’d 
better be leavin’ me scalp alone,” replied Den- 
nis readily. “I need thot mesilf.” 

They moved up to the center of the town, 
86 


A EEMAEK BY PIEEEE 


near the barracks, and joined one of the groups 
that was busily discussing the situation. 

'^Couriers are being sent all around this part 
of the country to get volunteers,^’ said one man. 

'^There’ll be plenty of them all right,” re- 
marked another. ''The people are just about 
ready to put an end to all this murder and rob- 
bery.” 

"Personally I think the British are at the 
bottom of all this trouble,” announced the man 
who had spoken first, a great rawboned hunter. 

"You think sol” exclaimed the talker. 

"I certainly do. For months I believe they 
have been trying to stir up hostilities between 
this country and the Indians. They furnish 
supplies and ammunition and everything else 
to them; then they try to poison their minds 
against the Americans.” 

"What do you think about that, Pierre I” de- 
manded a man on the outside of the fast grow- 
ing circle of men. "Do you think the English 
are trying to start a war between us and the 
Indians I” The French trapper’s opinion was 
highly valued on all subjects. 

"Ah, I do not know,” said Pierre with a 
shrug of his shoulders. "But perhaps Meester 
: 87 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Burch can tell us zat; I understand zat he has 
but just come back from Canada, an’ maybe 
knows ze conditions. ^ ’ As he spoke he turned 
and looked at Burch who was standing in the 
crowd. 

An angry flush spread itself over Burch’s 
face and he flashed a look of intense hatred at 
Pierre, who stood waiting expectantly for his 
answer. 

don’t know a thing about it,” he ex- 
claimed hotly. ‘^Why should I know!” 

‘‘As you have but just come from Canada I 
thought perhaps — ” 

“I know nothing about it, I said,” Burch in- 
terrupted him in a tone of great exasperation. 

“If Meester Burch does not know, an’ he has 
just come from Canada, how iss it zat I should 
know!” Pierre asked of the crowd. “I have 
not even an opinion. All I know iss zat things 
are ver’ bad.” 

“Not so bad,” exclaimed the man who had 
started the conversation. “Any white man is 
as good as two Indians.” 

“Do not be so sure of zat,” warned Pierre. 
“It does not pay to think your enemy iss a poor 
fighter. Zese varriors wiz Tecumseh are brave 
88 


A EEMAEK BY PIEEEE 

and zey will fight hard; do not think zey will 
not.’^ 

^^Well, well all enlist anyhow/’ exclaimed 
Alec. He could never remain out of any con- 
versation very long. ‘‘With the regulars here, 
and those on the way, and all the volunteers 
well get we ought to give a good account of 
ourselves.” 

A cheer greeted this remark and one man 
stepped forward and demanded to know if 
there were any present who would not volun- 
teer. “Hold up your right hand all who are 
going to enlist,” he ordered. 

Immediately a score of hands shot up. 
George looked around to see if any there were 
who did not respond. “What about Arnold 
Burch f” he thought. “I wonder if hell en- 
list. ’ ’ He suddenly discovered that Burch had 
disappeared and was in the gathering no 
longer. 

“What made me think of him, I wonder,” he 
murmured under his breath. 


CHAPTEE IX 


SMOKE 

T he following day Pierre, Alec, Dennis and 
George all presented themselves at head- 
quarters for enlistment. Needless to say their 
services were eagerly accepted and they were 
at once sworn into the service. Any govern- 
ment would have been glad of the services of 
four such strapping recruits, men who were 
used to hardships and were crack shots as 
well. 

think I’ll make scouts out of you four,” 
said Major White, the officer who administered 
the oath. ‘‘You men ought to know the coun- 
try around here and be very valuable to us.” 

“Well, that suits us, I guess,” exclaimed 
Alec heartily. “At least it suits me all right.” 

“There may be work for you to do very 
soon,” said the major seriously. “Hold your- 
selves in readiness for orders on short notice.” 
“We’ll be right here, ready and waiting,” 
90 


SMOKE 


said George heartily. The prospect of adven- 
ture and danger was most pleasing to his young 
heart. 

‘^For the present remain in the house where 
you are now living,’’ said the major. shall 
expect to he able to reach you there at any 
time. ’ ’ 

He dismissed them with a nod and the four 
recruits passed outdoors again. Already vol- 
unteers were trooping into Vincennes; tents 
sprang up, and the little frontier town began 
to assume a real military aspect. Horses were 
picketed around in little groups ; the men were 
busy grooming their mounts and oiling and 
polishing their rifles. 

Bustle and activity showed on all sides and 
never was there a more enthusiastic body of 
men gathered together. They seemed to re- 
gard the proposed expedition against the 
Prophet in the nature of a lark. No one seemed 
to consider that they might encounter danger 
or that any harm might befall them. The 
whole affair they looked upon as a huge picnic. 

“Them fellers may not laugh so loud later,” 
remarked Dennis, as he and George stood and 
watched the busy scene around them. 

91 


THE TBAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘No, I don’t believe it’s all going to be such 
fun,” said George soberly. 

“I’m glad for wan thing, though,” said 
Dennis. 

“What’s that!” 

“That I’m not goin’ t’ be on horseback.” 

“It’s a pretty long walk to Tippecanoe,” 
laughed George. 

“I don’t care how far it may be,” said Dennis 
positively. “I’ll walk to th’ North Pole before 
I git aboard another o’ thim beasts.” 

“You started wrong,” smiled George. “If 
you’d only had a quiet horse and some one to 
teach you at the beginning you’d have been all 
right.” 

“Maybe I did start wrong. Me finish was 
th’ same, for I can tell yez right now I’m 
through with horses.” 

Orderlies were galloping to and fro as George 
and Dennis walked towards the place where 
their dwelling was located. Men with guns 
were everywhere in evidence, though that was 
not an unusual sight in the border towns in 
those times. Now, however, the men seemed 
to have more of an air of some definite purpose 
in view as they walked about the town. 

92 


SMOKE 


‘‘How old are you, Dennis?^’ asked George 
suddenly. 

“ Twinty-sivin. Why do ye askT’ 

“I don’t know, I was just wondering. You 
are nearly ten years older than I am. When 
did you leave Ireland?” 

“Nine years ago, and I’m not sorry nayther.” 

‘ ‘ There ’s certainly a difference in the ages of 
the four of us, isn ’t there ? I’m eighteen, you ’re 
twenty-seven, Alec is thirty-five and Pierre 
must be about forty-five.” 

“Yis,” said Dennis, “but I believe he can 
outlast any wan of us.” 

“No doubt of it, I guess,” agreed George. 
“I hope when we are sent out to do any scout- 
ing he’ll be along.” 

“An’ there’s the gintleman now!” exclaimed 
Dennis as the two young men came within sight 
of their house. 

Pierre came walking out from the cabin hold- 
ing his rifle in his hand. Alec was lying on the 
grass under a tree nearby. 

“Where are you going, Pierre?” asked 
George. 

“I go to practice my shooting down by ze 
river. Would you like to go wiz me?” 

93 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


certainly would,” exclaimed George, 
‘^though I don’t see why you need any practice. 
Are you coming, Dennis?” 

am, if ye think we ought t’ leave th’ 
house.” 

‘^Alec, he will stay at ze house,” said Pierre. 
‘‘We will not go far.” 

“We must get our guns, too,” exclaimed 
George. “If you’ll wait for me just a minute 
I’ll run in and get mine; I’ll bring yours too, 
Dennis.” 

“I thank ye,” exclaimed Dennis. “I always 
make it me practice niver t’ do onything that 
some one ilse will do for me.” 

Pierre and Dennis had not long to wait, for 
George soon appeared, a rifle in each hand. 
He waved good-by to Alec and soon joined his 
two friends. 

“We’re otf,” he exclaimed joyously. 
“Where are we going, Pierre?” 

“But a short distance, down here by ze 
river. ’ ’ 

“What are you going to shoot at? There are 
no Indians on the river, are there ? ’ ’ 

“We can set up a mark.” 

“If yer frind Burch was only here ye could 
94 


SMOKE 


fire at him,’’ observed Dennis, at the same time 
nudging George gently with his elbow. 

‘‘Zat dog!’’ exclaimed Pierre hotly, falling 
easily into the trap which the young Irishman 
had set for him. Dennis knew the trapper’s 
weak spot and he loved to tease. Unlike many 
jokers, however, he did not mind if he was the 
‘‘butt” himself once in a while. 

“I hate zat man!” cried Pierre. 

“Why do yez hate ’imP’ inquired Dennis 
innocently. 

“I cannot say. If I should prove what are 
my suspicions I could have heem hanged. It 
ees just possible zat I may be wrong and so I 
keep silent. I think zat I am not wrong 
though. ’ ’ 

“He’s always been dacent enough t’ me,” 
observed Dennis, once more nudging his young 
companion. 

“I tell you zat man iss a snake!” Pierre 
fairly hissed. “But I must not talk about 
heem; I shall lose my temper.” 

“Why, Pierre,” exclaimed Dennis, feigning 
great surprise. “I do not understand how ye 
can feel like that about ony mon, or baste even.” 

“Not even a horse?” inquired George. 

95 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘We will change th’ subjict/^ said Dennis 
with a grin. “Ye have me there.” 

They soon came to the bank of the river and 
turning northward they walked along its course 
for perhaps a quarter of a mile. Here a small 
peninsula thrust itself out into the stream and 
on its tip end the three scouts took up their posi- 
tions. 

“Well what are we going to fire at?” inquired 
George. “I don’t see anything here.” 

“Look over zere,” Pierre directed him. 

“All I see is a lot of waterlilies,” said 
George. 

“Well?” 

“You mean to shoot at them?” 

“Why not? Don’t ze buds make a fine 
mark?” 

“They make a hard one,” observed Dennis 
grimly. “They’re not so large at this distance, 
ye know.” 

“How far away are they, Pierre?” asked 
George. 

“ I do not know. Mebbe one hundred yards. ’ ’ 

“Here goes,” exclaimed Dennis. “Thot one 
farthest out,” and he fired as he spoke. The 
bullet struck some four or five feet beyond the 
96 


SMOKE 


lily bud, however, and the Irishman snorted 
disgustedly at his poor aim. Let’s see ye try 
it now,” he said to George. 

George’s aim was a little better but he also 
fired wide of the mark. ‘‘That’s not an easy 
target,” he exclaimed feelingly. “An Indian 
is certainly bigger than that anyway, so why 
not shoot at something the size of a man?” 

“Th’ pint is,” said Dennis, “that if yez can 
hit a bud that size, an Injin will be aisy for 
ye.” 

“Zat iss eet exactly,” exclaimed Pierre. 
“Now watch.” 

He brought his rifle quickly to his shoulder 
and apparently without half taking aim, he 
fired. The bud, cut off cleanly from the stem, 
flew up into the air and disappeared in the 
nearby rushes. 

“That’s the stuff!” cried Dennis enthus- 
iastically. “Good-by to Taycumseh!” 

“You must be a natural-born rifle shot, 
Pierre,” said George admiringly. “No man 
could learn to do that just by practice.” 

“On ze contrary,” said Pierre, “I was a ver’ 
poor shot when it was I first began to shoot. 
It iss all practice and it took hard work and a 
97 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


long time. Zere iss nothing zat can be done 
without zem.’’ 

‘^Without whatr’ 

‘^Practice and hard work. I know zat is so.’’ 

For a half-hour they sat and fired at different 
objects and with varying success. Pierre’s aim 
of course was always good and it was seldom 
that he missed his mark. The other two were 
by no means poor shots, but they did not com- 
pare with the clever Frenchman. As Dennis 
expressed it, guess we nade some o’ that 
‘practice an’ hard work.’ ” 

Pierre finally started back towards the town 
while Dennis and George lingered a while to 
see if they could find some berries growing in 
the nearby woods. They were wandering 
around under the trees when Dennis suddenly 
grasped George by the arm and pulled him 
quickly behind a tree. 

‘ ‘ Look there ! ” he whispered excitedly. 

Following Dennis’s instructions George 
peered cautiously out from their hiding-place. 
The sight that met his gaze was Arnold Burch, 
walking swiftly along, a rifle in his right hand. 
Every few paces he glanced furtively over his 
shoulder as if he was afraid that he was being 
98 


SMOKE 


followed. Almost holding their breath Dennis 
and George watched him pass. He was 
scarcely a hundred feet distant from the spot 
where they stood, but he did not see them. 

Where do you suppose he’s going!” 
whispered George. 

We ’ll see,” observed Dennis in a low voice. 

‘‘You mean to follow him!” 

“Sortinly.” 

With Dennis leading the way the two young 
scouts stole out from their hiding-place and 
took up Burch’s trail. They proceeded care- 
fully and with as little noise as possible. A 
faint path led through the woods and it was this 
course that Burch followed. Footprints in the 
soft earth showed the two friends that they 
were on the right track. For perhaps a half- 
mile they trailed the man whom they suspected, 
though of what they suspected him neither one 
had any clear idea. 

A break in the woods showed a short distance 
ahead and coming to the edge of the trees the 
two young scouts halted, and peered out cau- 
tiously from behind a sheltering bush. In the 
center of the clearing stood Arnold Burch. 

‘ ‘ Hist ! ’ ’ whispered Dennis, and catching his 
99 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


companion by tbe arm he drew him down beside 
him. Curiously and with wondering eyes they 
watched Burch who still glanced frequently 
about him, as though fearing detection in what 
he was about to do. 

^^What’s he up to, do you supposeT’ whis- 
pered George. 

‘^Ssh!’’ cautioned Dennis. ‘ ‘ Watch. 

Apparently satisfied that he was alone and 
unobserved Burch presently busied himself in 
gathering a pile of wood in the center of the 
clearing. In a few moments he seemed to have 
collected enough to satisfy him, and straight- 
way made preparations for a fire. He piled 
up his wood in a circular fashion leaving a bare 
space in the middle and taking some tinder 
from his pouch knelt down with flint and steel 
to kindle the blaze. 

^‘WhaFs th’ beggar up to?’’ mused Dennis. 
‘‘Half his wood is green, too.” 

A moment later a spark settled in the tinder 
and after much vigorous blowing by Burch a 
tiny flame appeared. Heaping dried moss and 
small sticks on the blaze Burch soon nursed it 
into a crackling fire. Then he began to pile on 
the green wood that Dennis had noticed. Im- 
100 


SMOKE 


mediately thick white smoke rose in a heavy 
circular column straight above the trees. 

More and more puzzled as time went on the 
two watchers gazed out from their hiding-place. 
They were completely mystified by the man’s 
strange actions and in silent wonder they 
watched the heavy white smoke mount heaven- 
wards through the still air. 

^‘He’s signaling to somebody I believe,” 
whispered George. 

‘‘Look at ’im now!” said Dennis. “He’s 
takin’ off his coat.” 

Burch removed his jacket and then did a 
strange thing. Taking his stand close beside 
the smoking fire he grasped his jacket collar 
with both hands and suddenly began to flick it 
back and forth through the smoke. 

“What in hivin’s name — ” began Dennis, 
when, “Look,” exclaimed George suddenly. 
“Look up in the air.” 

Mounting in constant succession above the 
tree tops appeared a series of great rings of 
smoke. Every time that Burch snapped his 
coat through the column a ring was formed 
which mounted higher and higher until it was 
dissolved in thin air far above the forest. Ten 
101 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


of the huge rings George and Dennis counted 
before Burch ceased his efforts. 

While they crouched and watched him he put 
on his jacket again and then proceeded to ex- 
tinguish the fire ; with a few well directed kicks 
he soon scattered it far and wide. 

‘^Who was he signaling to!^’ demanded 
George. 

‘^How do I knowT’ queried Dennis. ^‘1 
don’t understand it at all.” 

“Here he comes,” whispered George and the 
two young watchers drew back into the shelter 
of the bush which hid them. A moment later 
Burch passed their hiding-place, walking 
swiftly back towards Vincennes. Scarcely 
stirring and holding their breath in check 
George and Dennis watched him go, and neither 
made any move to rise until his stealthy foot- 
steps had died away in the forest. 

“Come,” exclaimed Dennis at last. “Back 
we go t’ Vincinnes an’ we must tell Pierre o’ 
this.” 

“He’ll certainly be excited,” said George, 
“and maybe he’ll tell us why it is he suspects 
Burch and what he suspects him of.” 

Back through the forest the two youths made 
102 


SMOKE 


their way, speaking but seldom and walking 
slowly, fearing lest they should overtake Burch. 
They had no desire to be seen following his 
trail through the woods. 

At last they emerged from the shelter of the 
trees and saw ahead of them the buildings and 
the fort of the little frontier city. As they 
drew near, the figure of a man suddenly ap- 
peared, hurrying towards them. 

‘‘Here comes Pierre, cried George as he 
recognized the tall man who was running 
swiftly towards them. “Do you think any- 
thing can be wrong? He seems to be in an 
awful rush.’’ 

“Whin I tell him about Burch he’ll be in more 
of a hurry,” said Dennis, anticipating much 
pleasure in relating to Pierre what they had 
seen. 

He had no chance to arouse the Frenchman’s 
anger, however, for before he could speak, 
Pierre shouted at them. 

“Come,” he cried. “Where have you been? 
Major White he want us and it iss I who have 
looked for you everywhere. We must report 
at once.” 

At these words all thoughts of Burch disap- 
8 103 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


peared from the minds of the two young scouts, 
and, accompanied by Pierre, they hurried back 
to the town full of wonder and speculation as 
to the summons they had received. 


CHAPTER X 


A MISSION 

W E must go to heem fully equip V’ said 
Pierre. ‘‘So we must stop at ze 

house. ’ ^ 

“Where’s Alec^’ inquired George. 

“He wait zere for us to come.” 

A few moments later they arrived at their 
dwelling-place and entering the front door 
hounded eagerly up the stairs to the room where 
they were quartered. It was the work of a 
very short time to gather up the few things they 
would need and presently they were ready to 
depart. 

“I haven’t seen Alec around,” said George, 
who was the first one to complete his prep- 
arations. 

“Nor have I,” said Pierre. “He say he 
wait here too.” 

“Suppose I go downstairs and look around 
outside for him,” suggested George. “I’ll 
wait for you two down there.” 

105 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


<<Ver’ good/’ agreed Pierre, and George 
began to descend the steep and narrow stair- 
way. Reaching the bottom he started to walk 
towards the door when the sound of voices 
issuing from a nearby room arrested him. 

‘‘Whew, but you smell of smoke,” exclaimed 
a voice that George recognized as belonging to 
his friend Alec. “What have you been 
doing!” 

“Is it any of your business!” demanded a 
voice harshly. George knew the second speaker 
to be Burch and he listened intently. 

“Well, I don’t know that it is,” said Alec 
coolly. “Still I don’t see that it’s anything to 
get mad about.” 

“Have you got what you came into my room 
for!” asked Burch sharply. 

“I guess so,” said Alec. 

“Well, then, get out!” 

George heard a chair pushed back and so 
scraped along the floor as if some one had risen 
hurriedly to his feet. 

“I’ll get out,” drawled Alec. George had 
heard that tone in his friend’s voice before and 
he knew it to be dangerous. 

“Still I warn you,” continued Alec in the 
106 


A MISSION 


same drawling voice, ‘Hhat if my friends 
weren^t waiting for me I wouldn’t leave until 
I’d dusted off this floor with you.” 

There was no answer and presently Alec 
appeared in the doorway. ‘‘Hello there, 
George!” he exclaimed, spying his young 
friend. “Where are the others?” 

As he spoke Dennis and Pierre appeared at 
the top of the stairway. They hurried down, 
and joining the others made their way outdoors, 
and at a fast walk proceeded in the direction of 
Major White’s quarters. 

Pierre walked ahead with Alec and engaged 
him in a low-voiced conversation so that George 
had no opportunity to inquire the reason for 
the dispute with Burch. Before long, however, 
Alec dropped back and George questioned him 
eagerly. 

“What were you fighting with Burch about?” 
he demanded. 

“Why, I went into his room to get my flint 
and steel that he borrowed this afternoon; I 
made the remark that he smelled of wood smoke 
and he got mad. You heard him, didn’t you? 

“He said he had lost his and he had no way 
of lighting his pipe; you know that filthy old 
107 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


thing he smokes. He was going to take a little 
walk, he said, and asked if I’d mind.’’ 

^^He didn’t smoke his pipe,” said George. 

‘‘How do you know?” 

“Here we are,” exclaimed Dennis, before 
George could answer. A moment later they 
were ushered into the presence of Major White. 

“Pierre,” inquired the major, “are you and 
your scouts ready for duty?” 

“We are,” said Pierre simply. 

“Well then,” said Major White, “what I 
want you to do is this. I have word that a 
large band of Indians is operating some twenty 
miles or so up the Wabash from here. I wish 
to find out if possible just how big a force is 
there and where they seem to be headed.” 

“We will see what we can find out about 
zem,” said Pierre. 

“Good,” exclaimed the major. “That is 
just what I want. When can you start?” 

“Now.” 

“Excellent. If you require food, stop and 
see the quartermaster who has instructions to 
furnish you with what you may need.” 

“We go at once,” said Pierre. “When we 
have ze information we return.” 

108 


A MISSION 


^‘That^s the way to talk!^^ exclaimed the 
major heartily. ‘*I hope to see you hack again 
soon and good luck to you.” 

The four scouts saluted and turned and 
walked out of the small office. 

Many of the soldiers lolling about nodded to 
them as they passed, for they had made numer- 
ous acquaintances during their short stay at 
Vincennes. Nearly every one knew Pierre any- 
way. On their way to the quartermaster's de- 
partment they met Governor Harrison riding 
past on his horse. Every one of the little band 
drew himself up proudly as their commander 
galloped past them, and vowed in his heart that 
Tecumseh should rue the day he began to stir 
up the tribes against the white settlers. 

A halt of a few moments was made for some 
needed supplies and then on they went. In a 
short time they left the settlement and traveling 
northward struck into the forest. Pierre led 
the way and the pace he set was so speedy that 
any attempt to talk was almost out of the ques- 
tion. Every one saved his breath to use on the 
march. 

It was afternoon when they left Vincennes 
and after several hours of steady marching the 
109 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


slanting rays of the sun through the trees fore- 
told the approach of evening. 

‘Ht’ll be dark soon, Pierre,’^ ventured Alec 
finally. 

The Frenchman halted. ‘^Yes,’^ he agreed. 
‘‘We must camp.’’ 

“Where did you plan to go?” asked Alec. 

“Zere iss a stream but a short distance from 
here,” said Pierre. “We should arrive zere 
before eet grows dark.” 

“Some food an’ sleep would suit Dinnis, all 
right,” observed the young Irishman. “An’ if 
it wasn’t for George’s rid hair now, I’d be 
havin’ a hard time t’ see me way.” 

“That’s enough of that,” observed George 
good-naturedly. “Let’s go on, Pierre, and 
reach our camp as soon as we can.” 

Without another word Pierre took up the 
march and plunged forward through the forest. 
Presently they arrived at a small open place in 
the woods, and straight across it Pierre led the 
way. Suddenly he stopped and bent over. 

“Zere has been a fire here,” he observed. 
“Also ze ground iss still warm.” He put his 
hand on the earth, still warm from the heat of 
the fire. All the embers had been scattered, 
110 


A MISSION 


but the charred ground and burnt grass showed 
where the fire had been. 

“Well, that^s a funny thing,’’ exclaimed Alec 
suddenly. 

“What do you mean?” queried George curi- 
ously. 

“This fire was built in a circle. See, there is 
a regular ring and the earth in the middle has 
not been charred at all. ’ ’ 

George and Dennis glanced quickly at each 
other, an expression of wonder mixed with 
anxiety showing on their young faces. 

“What you say iss so, Alec,” said Pierre and 
he examined the ground more closely. “Why 
do you suppose it was done zat way?” 

“To make smoke-rings probably,” observed 
George. 

“To do what?” demanded Alec. 

“To make smoke-rings,” George repeated. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“Ask Dennis here,” exclaimed George. 
“He saw the same thing that I did today. He 
was with me when we saw Burch — ” 

“Burch?” cried Pierre. “What iss it zat 
zat viper do?” 

“We were watching him all the time you 
111 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


were looking for us/’ said George. ‘‘After we 
had stopped shooting at targets we were walk- 
ing through the woods when whom should we 
see coming sneaking along but — ” 

The sudden crack of a rifle cut his words 
short and a bullet zipping through Pierre’s 
coonskin cap tore it from his head. 

“Drop!” ordered Alec sharply, and the four 
scouts immediately fell flat upon their stomachs 
on the ground. No sign of any enemy appeared 
and after a few moments had elapsed and the 
shot had not been repeated, Pierre spoke in a 
low voice to his companions. 

“We cannot stay here all ze night,” he said. 
“But a half-mile ahead iss ze camp of which I 
speak; we must go zere.” 

“Suppose we run into an ambush?” sug- 
gested Alec. 

“We must take zat chance.” 

“Certainly we can’t stay here,” George 
agreed. 

“I agree with ye,” muttered Dennis. 
“There’s a big stone in th’ middle of me stum- 
mick. ’ ’ 

“Zere iss beeg risk whatever we do,” said 
Pierre, ignoring Dennis’s complaint. “Who 
112 


A MISSION 


says we shall get up and run for ze shelter of 
ze woods 

‘‘I do,’’ said Alec. ‘^I guess it’s all we can 
do. Is this camping-place of yours a safe 
one?” 

‘^Certainly,” said Pierre confidently. 
‘‘Every one run close to ze ground and do not 
keep ver’ close together. One, two, three!” 

At the word three the four scouts arose from 
the ground, and crouching low ran swiftly to- 
wards the near-by trees. 


CHAPTER XI 


IN THE DAEK 

M omentarily expecting to hear the rifle 
shot repeated, they sped along. The sun 
had now sunk below the level of the tree-tops 
and the little clearing was filled with the fast- 
gathering shades of night. Objects took on fan- 
tastic shapes in the deepening gloom; stumps 
seemed to he crouching Indians and a hat 
swooping low in its evening flight made George 
feel sure that a whizzing tomahawk had nar- 
rowly missed his head. 

It was anxious work, but finally they gained 
the shelter of the forest without being fired 
upon again. Pierre halted momentarily to see 
that all of the little party were together ; satis- 
fied of that, he once more started on his way, 
closely followed by his three companions. 

The forest had suddenly grown dark. The 
little band of scouts stole cautiously along, like 
four black shadows, fearful lest any noise made 
by their going should reveal their presence to 
114 


IN THE DAEK 


some unseen enemy. Pierre seemed perfectly 
familiar with the ground and swung along 
easily and confidently, though his progress was 
necessarily slow on account of his comrades. 
They had more difficulty than the sturdy 
Frenchman, and had to pick their way over 
every foot of the course. 

It is not much fun to walk through the woods 
in inky darkness, fearful of an attack any mo- 
ment and it seemed to George that hours had 
elapsed before Pierre called a halt. 

‘^We are almost zero,’’ he whispered. 
‘^Careful now.’’ 

They had been ascending a gentle slope and 
now stood by the side of a large fallen tree. 
Over this obstruction Pierre climbed and then 
dropping upon his hands and knees crawled 
around the side of a huge rock. The last one 
to follow Pierre’s lead, George soon had the 
impression that he was entering a cave or room 
of some kind. He experienced that ‘‘shut-in” 
feeling that a man used to the outdoors has 
when he goes into a house ; the ground felt moist 
under him as if it were always shielded from 
light and warmth of any kind. 

“Wait here,” ordered Pierre finally. While 
115 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


the Frenchman crept forward, his three com- 
rades waited impatiently for his return. They 
were also puzzled by his actions and were con- 
sumed with curiosity as to the reasons for them. 

^‘What^s upT’ muttered Dennis. 

don’t know,” said George. ‘‘Where are 
you anyway r’ He felt for his comrade in the 
darkness, finally locating him by the touch of 
his hand. 

“Well, I wish I knew,” murmured Alec. “I 
don’t like this business of being left alone in 
the dark, and not knowing where I am.” 

“Nor I,” agreed George. “I believe we’re 
an a cave.” 

“In a pickle more likely,” said Dennis sor- 
rowfully. 

“Well, if we’re in a cave I hope we get out 
soon,” said Alec. 

“Probably Pierre intends to spend the night 
here,” observed George. “If it’s a cave he 
may be the only one who knows about it, so it 
ought to be safe enough.” 

“Suppose it’s a cave and the Indians come 
and camp right at the entrance ? ’ ’ Alec 
suggested. “Would you call that very 
safe?” 


116 


IN THE DARK 


‘^How would they know we were hereT’ 

‘‘Huh!’’ snorted Alec. “How does an In- 
dian know anything? For all we know they 
may have walked side by side with us ; 
those red fiends can do anything in the 
woods.” 

“Maybe there’s a dozen of them sitting 
around us in a circle now,” suggested George 
teasingly; he was inclined to be more cheerful 
than Alec anyway. 

“Stop it. Stop it, plaze,” begged Dennis. 
“Ye’ll hav’ me seein’ ghosts nixt thing ye 
know.” 

“Ghosts!” exclaimed George. “You know 
there are no such things.” 

“They is in Ireland,” muttered Dennis, who 
was nervous and not a bit happy sitting there 
in the dark. “Ooh!” he blubbered suddenly. 
“Look!” 

Two small round lights appeared above them. 
The three scouts were tired and their nerves on 
edge; a cold draught of air struck them and 
they shuddered. The thing was getting beyond 
a joke. Where was Pierre anyway! George 
could hear Dennis mumbling a prayer, and the 
thought flashed through his mind that it was a 
117 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


queer thing about Irishmen that though they 
feared nothing on earth in the daytime they 
did not like the dark. 

But it was not the dark that made Dennis 
afraid, so much as the two little lights shining 
through the dark. His hand clutched George’s 
arm feverishly and George could feel it tremble. 
He was nervous himself ; so also was Alec, but 
no one spoke. In deep silence they sat and 
watched the two dim little lights above their 
heads. 

Suddenly there was a weird cry, the lights 
disappeared and something whirled past them. 
With a half-stifled moan Dennis clasped 
George’s arm tighter than ever and cowered 
closer to his friend. 

’Tis ghosts; I know ’tis ghosts,” he 
moaned. 

‘‘Get your gun, Dennis,” urged George, striv- 
ing hard to be brave, though he shook violently 
with fear. 

“We’re goin’ t’ die,” sobbed Dennis. 
“ ’Tis an omen o’ death.” 

“Well, I wish you two would stop your 
noise,” exclaimed Alec sharply. “If you don’t 
we’ll die fast enough, for every Indian in the 
118 


IN THE DAEK 


country will hear you and be in here after us. 
DidnT you ever see an owl before 
whatr’ demanded George. 

‘‘An owl, I said.’’ 

“Was that an owl that flew past us?” 

“It certainly was; I knew those two little 
lights were owl’s eyes all the time.” George 
was not so sure about the truth of Alec’s state- 
ment, but he said nothing. 

“Thin why in th’ name of Saint Patrick, 
didn’t ye say so?” exclaimed Dennis whose 
fear had now turned to anger. “What was 
yer p’int in makin’ us both think we was seein’ 
ghosts?” 

Both Dennis and George now felt deeply 
ashamed of themselves for their foolish fears, 
and were thankful that the darkness hid their 
shamefaced looks. As usually happens when 
a person is ashamed of himself he also feels 
angry and tries to blame some one else for what 
is entirely his own fault. The two young 
frontiersmen were angry at Alec. 

“Here comes another light,” said Alec sud- 
denly. “Do you think this is a ghost too?” 

In the distance appeared a torch held aloft 
by some man who was approaching the spot 
9 119 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


where the three friends were seated. Every- 
thing else was quickly forgotten in the interest 
this new event created. 

^‘IFs Pierre/^ announced George. can 
see his face.’^ 

“An’ he’s walkin’ in a tunnel,” said Dennis. 
‘ ‘ I tho ’t we was in a cave. ’ ’ 

“Well it certainly looks so,” said Alec. “I 
wonder where it leads.” 

“Maybe it’s Tecumseh’s cave,” George sug- 
gested. 

“Mebbe it belongs t’ that bla ’guard brother 
o’ his, th’ Prophet,” said Dennis. “It may be 
here that he works his charms.” 

“You two are crazy tonight,” exclaimed Alec. 
“First you see ghosts and then you talk about 
this cave belonging to either Tecumseh or the 
Prophet. Do you suppose that if it belonged 
to either of them we could possibly stay in here 
for a second?” 

“Are you zere?” asked Pierre, before either 
Dennis or George could answer Alec’s ques- 
tion. He came near and held the blazing torch 
high above his head. 

“All here,” replied Alec cheerily. 

“Come zen wiz me.” 

120 


IN THE DAEK 


Pierre turned and began to retrace bis steps 
over the route by which he had just come. His 
three comrades quickly rose to their feet and 
followed closely at his heels. The flickering 
torch lighted up their path, and showed rocky 
walls on each side of them, damp and with 
water oozing from some of the crevices. Over- 
head it was the same way, and now and then a 
large drop would land squarely on the torch, 
causing it to spit and splutter angrily. 

Many sharp corners and right angled turns 
loomed up in front of them, and once the path 
led beside a chasm that seemed dark and bot- 
tomless in the flickering light. Pierre mean- 
while walked ahead confidently, as if he were 
entirely familiar with his surroundings. 

‘‘Will it never endT’ whispered Dennis fi- 
nally. 

Scarcely had he spoken when the narrow pas- 
sageway suddenly widened out and the four 
scouts found themselves in a spacious room 
lighted by two torches similar to the one Pierre 
carried. The three strangers to the place 
gasped in amazement. 

“SayT’ exclaimed George enthusiastically. 
“Isn’t this fine?” 


121 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^‘Wlien’d you find this cave, Pierre asked 
Alec. 

find heem when I young man,^’ replied 
the Frenchman. ‘‘Zere iss no one else who 
know where he is.’’ 

‘‘Suppose the Indians follow our trail,” said 
George. “They might trap us in here and then 
what would we do?” 

“We would go out ze ozzer end,” smiled 
Pierre. 

“Where’s that?” demanded Dennis. 

“Do you see zat curtain?” Pierre pointed 
to a heavy fur robe that hung at one end of the 
room. 

“I do,” said Dennis. 

“Well, zat cover anozzer opening. It lead 
out over ze cliff.” 

“A cliff?” exclaimed George in surprise. 

“Yes,” said Pierre. “The -hill she steep on 
zat side; ze valley iss below and zis iss a fine 
look-out spot. I will show you in ze morning. ’ ’ 

“Well, I guess it would only take about two 
men to defend this place, ’ ’ remarked Alec. ‘ ‘ A 
man could be posted back there near the en- 
trance we used and pick ’em off just as fast as 
they showed their heads.” 

122 


IN THE DAEK 


^^Eet iss one gran^ place exclaimed Pierre 
proudly. can see all ze valley from here 
and ze river too.’’ 

^‘How did you ever find it?” asked George 
curiously. 

‘‘I hunt one day. I see fox track and I follow 
heem. He go in zat door where eet iss we came 
and so I find ze cave. I cut down zat beeg tree 
back zere so no one can see ze entrance and I 
explore eet all. Never has any one else been 
here and so I think zat no one iss know eet.” 

‘‘Well, it’s a great place all right,” said Alec 
warmly. 

“An’ food’s a great thing too,” exclaimed 
Dennis, “an’ so is slape. I’d like a little o’ 
both.” 

“I agree with you, Dennis,” laughed George. 
“We’ll need a rest tonight too because I think 
tomorrow is likely to be a pretty hard day. ’ ’ 

Pierre quickly brought out food from a store 
he kept in one corner of the cave, and before 
long the appetites of the four scouts were ap- 
peased. Fur rugs were lying around on the 
ground and presently the weary men were 
stretched out at full length upon them and were 
asleep almost instantly. No guard was posted, 
123 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


for Pierre assured them that they were abso- 
lutely safe until daylight at least, for no In- 
dian, no matter how cunning he may be, can 
follow a faint trail in the inky darkness. 

Heavy breathing soon was heard and it 
seemed to George that he had slept but a mo- 
ment when he felt himself gently shaken. 

He sat up, instantly wide awake and found 
the cave dimly lighted by the rays of the newly- 
risen sun streaming through the entrance that 
had been covered with the fur robe the pre- 
ceding evening. Pierre was bending over him. 

‘‘Come,^’ he whispered. will show you 
somezing.^^ 


CHAPTER XII 


A RIFLE SHOT 

G eorge quickly rose to Ms feet and fol- 
lowed Pierre, who led him to the round 
opening in the cave. Bushes were growing all 
about the aperture and only a few specks of 
blue sky appeared through the branches as the 
two scouts approached. 

Pierre reached out, and parting the branches, 
turned and nodded to George who was close be- 
hind him. 

^^Look,’’ he said. 

George looked out and an amazing sight met 
his gaze. Below him stretched a broad fertile 
valley wooded in spots and with many open 
spaces, while beyond appeared the river glisten- 
ing in the early morning light. 

‘^Say!’’ exclaimed George. “What a won- 
derful view!’’ 

“Eet iss,” agreed Pierre. “Eet iss also a 
gran’ look-out place.” 


125 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘We’re right on the side of a hill yon say?” 

“Look up.” 

George leaned out and looked above him, 
twisting his body around and holding on to the 
bushes for support. Fifteen or twenty feet 
above his head was the top of the cliff, for it 
was a cliff as Pierre had said. Eocks, bare of 
earth and only sparsely covered by a few 
straggling bushes, rose in an almost perpen- 
dicular line. 

“Now look down,” said Pierre. 

Eocks also appeared below, just like the one 
above and only a few narrow ledges here and 
there seemed to break their smooth surface. 

“You said that in case we were attacked we 
could go out here,” said George, turning to 
Pierre. “I don’t see how any one could go 
down that cliff.” 

“But he can,” smiled the trapper. “I have 
done eet.” 

“You know the path, do you?” 

“But certainly. Eet iss hard but eet can be 
done.” 

“I should think it might be hard,” smiled 
George grimly, and once again he leaned out 
and gazed down the steep hillside. Then he 
126 


A EIFLE SHOT 


allowed his glance to wander idly out over the 
valley, and the river, and the waving tree-tops, 
and the little green open spaces below. Sud- 
denly he started violently and turned excitedly 
to Pierre. 

‘^Look!’^ he cried. ‘‘There are men on 
horseback down there; they’re Indians, too.” 

Before replying or coming to look, Pierre 
walked quietly across the cave to the place 
where his rifle stood; possessing himself of his 
gun he quickly rejoined his young companion. 

“Where?” he asked. 

“See?” exclaimed George, parting the 
branches of the bushes and pointing to a spot 
in the valley below. Almost directly beneath 
them and perhaps some three or four hundred 
yards distant, appeared a small band of horse- 
men. 

“Ten of them,” counted George, “all Indians 
but one. Do you see them?” 

“Yes,” said Pierre. “Who iss zat white 
man?” 

“Why, I don’t know,” replied George. 
“Still he looks familiar. No, it couldn’t be, — 
I believe it’s Burch,” he exclaimed suddenly, 
turning to Pierre. 


127 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


so I think also,’’ muttered Pierre. 
‘‘Zat viper!” 

‘‘What do you suppose he’s doing with those 
Indians!” 

“I cannot say,” and Pierre slowly raised his 
rifle. 

“You’re not going to shoot him, are you!” 
demanded George in alarm. 

“Perhaps.” 

“But they may be friendly Indians,” pro- 
tested George. “You can’t shoot a man just 
because you suspect him of something. I don’t 
even know what it is you think he has done. 
He may be bringing those Indians into Vin- 
cennes. ’ ’ 

“Zose Indians are not friendly,” said Pierre. 
He was carefully, almost lovingly, sighting his 
rifle, like a man who points an empty gun at a 
target. 

“How do you know!” 

“Zey are Shawnee, of Tecumseh’s tribe, and 
I know zey are not friendly.” 

“Then what is Burch doing with them! 
Tell me what it is you suspect him of. Per- 
haps it isn’t Burch after all. You know — ” 

Pierre’s rifle suddenly spoke and whatever 
128 


A EIFLE SHOT 


it was that George had intended to say he left it 
unfinished. He leaned far out to see the result 
of the trapper’s shot, everything else instantly 
forgotten. He saw the horse on which the 
white man was riding suddenly pitch forward 
to its knees, and send its rider sprawling upon 
the ground. The nine other members of the 
party, all of them Indians, quickly scattered 
in all directions, every one holding his gun 
ready for use and looking all about him in an 
effort to locate the spot whence the shot had 
come. 

‘^You hit his horse,” said George excitedly. 
‘‘He’s getting to his feet. Look at him go!” 
he exclaimed as the unseated rider arose from 
the ground and at top speed ran for the nearby 
trees. Before Pierre could reload he had 
gained their shelter. 

“What’s goin’ on here!” demanded a hoarse 
voice, and George turned to see Dennis stand- 
ing in the center of the cave, rifle in hand, 
glancing wildly all about him. His hair was 
tousled and his eyes still full of sleep, but he 
was ready to face whatever danger might pre- 
sent itself. 

“What are you shooting at?” exclaimed 
129 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Alec who also had joined Dennis by this time. 
‘‘Are we attacked! 

“A leetle target practice/’ smiled Pierre. 

“Some Indians and a white man were riding 
by below,” said George. “Pierre thought he 
recognized one of his friends and took a shot 
at him.” 

“A fine way t’ treat yer friends,” remarked 
Dennis dryly. “I hope yez hate me, Pierre.” 

“Who was it!” asked Alec. 

“We thought it was Burch,” replied George. 
“We weren’t sure, though.” 

“Well, what would he be doing with a gang 
of Indians!” demanded Alec. 

“I don’t know,” said George. “Pierre 
seems to think he knows, though he won’t tell 
me just what he does think. We all suspected 
Burch you know, but we didn’t know what we 
suspected him of. We just thought he acted 
queerly and did some peculiar things, but 
Pierre here has a real grudge against him. ’ ’ 

“Tell us what it’s all about, Pierre,” urged 
Alec. The Frenchman was still peering earn- 
estly down into the valley below and to all ap- 
pearances had not been listening to the con- 
versation. 


130 ' 


A EIFLE SHOT 


‘^Zat Burch iss a snake he exclaimed 
shortly. Apparently he had heard what was 
said after all. 

‘‘Well, maybe he is,’’ admitted Alec. “Tell 
us why you think so, though.” 

“ Yes, ” urged George. ‘ ‘ Of what do you sus- 
pect him?” 

“Of zis,” cried Pierre warmly, turning to- 
wards his questioners as he spoke. “I think 
zat man Burch — ” 

“Hist!” warned Dennis suddenly. “What 
was that?” 

“What was what?” 

“I thought I heard a noise.” 

“Where?” inquired George eagerly, and at 
the same time he possessed himself of his gun 
which stood near by. 

“There,” and as he spoke Dennis pointed to 
the narrow passageway through which they had 
entered the cave the night before. “It sounded 
like somewan had disturbed a loose stone an’ 
made it fall down somewheres.” 

“We will soon find out,” said Pierre quietly. 
“Come wiz.me, George,” he said and instantly 
he started towards the dark tunnel. “You two 
should stay here,” he said to Alec and Dennis. 
131 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Keep a sharp watch from zat ozzer entrance.’’ 

Close to Pierre’s heels George followed and 
a moment later they entered the passageway. 

“Hold ze rifle in one hand an’ hold ze back 
of my coat wiz ze ozzer.” 

George did as Pierre directed, grasping his 
rifle with his right hand and holding onto the 
back of the big Frenchman’s jacket with his 
left. 

Slowly and carefully, step by step, they pro- 
ceeded. Pierre knew his way well, but he used 
extreme care not to make a sound, and George, 
needless to say, did the same. Now and again 
they paused and listened with every nerve 
strained. 

“Maybe Dennis he not hear after all,” whis- 
pered Pierre finally. 

“I haven’t heard anything anyway,” said 
George. 

“Let us go to ze entrance however,” said 
Pierre. “Eet iss best to be sure.” 

Again they continued their careful advance. 
It was pitchy dark and not the kind of work 
that any one unfamiliar with the path could 
relish. George found himself in a constant 
state of fear lest Pierre should make a false 
132 


A EIFLE SHOT 


step ; he remembered the deep chasm they had 
walked around on their way in. After what 
seemed to the young frontiersman a long time, 
Pierre stopped again. 

Entrance right around ze corner, he whis- 
pered. ‘‘Be careful.” 

George merely grunted. He could not pos- 
sibly be more careful than he had been. Creep- 
ing cautiously forward they turned the corner 
and ahead of them saw the entrance of the cave. 
The light filtered in, dimly lighting up the ceil- 
ing and walls of the strange passageway; out- 
side appeared the great rock and a few dead 
branches of the fallen tree that guarded the 
doorway. 

“I see no one,” whispered George after a 
moment’s silence. 

“Nor I,” agreed Pierre. “Zat Dennis he 
hear what iss not.” 

“Shall we sneak up there to the entrance and 
look around outside?” 

“Come.” 

Progressing more rapidly now, but not less 
carefully, they picked their way over the 
ground, towards the patch of light ahead. 
They could see their path now and so advanced 
133 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


more confidently. They felt sure that Dennis 
had heard nothing that need alarm them, but 
still they ran no risks and in silence moved for- 
ward, their moccasined feet making no sound 
on the damp earth that covered the floor of the 
cave. 

Presently they reached the entrance, one on 
each side. Here they halted for a moment and 
then as Pierre stepped out carefully, George 
did likewise. As they emerged into the light 
of day, they both stood silent and still, rifles 
ready for instant use. On George’s right hand 
was the big rock and over this he could not see 
unless he should walk a few yards farther from 
the entrance to the cave. This he determined 
to do, and stepped boldly forward towards the 
fallen tree trunk. 

Suddenly he heard a warning cry from Pierre, 
and wheeling quickly was just in time to see a 
hideous, painted savage directly behind him, 
tomahawk in hand ready to strike. Almost 
without thinking he sprang backwards and the 
blow missed him by inches. At the same in- 
stant there was the sharp report of a rifle and 
the Indian fell dead at George’s feet, a bullet 
through his head. 


134 


A EIFLE SHOT 


Quick! Quick !’^ cried Pierre, and he 
darted within the cave, dragging his young com- 
panion with him. Nor were they an instant 
too soon, for as they disappeared within, a bul- 
let flattened itself against the big rock behind 
them. 


10 


CHAPTEE XIII 


BESIEGED 

P IEERE and George hurried over that part 
of the passageway which was lighted, 
not caring now how much noise they made. 
Coming to the first turn and darkness, Pierre 
crouched on one knee, pulling George down be- 
side him. In this position they faced the en- 
trance. 

‘‘Watch sharp, he cautioned. “I mus^ re- 
load.’’ 

“Did you shoot that Indian?” demanded 
George. 

“Who else did?” 

“You saved my life,” said George humbly. 
“Eet iss hard to see here,” muttered Pierre, 
striving to change the subject. “You see noth- 
ing by ze entrance?” 

“Not yet.” 

“Zey will not dare show zemselves zere.” 
“Not in the daylight I guess. Do you sup- 
136 


BESIEGED 


pose they are the same Indians we saw riding 
down in the valley a little while agoT’ 

‘‘No. Zey would not have ze time to reach 
here so soon.’’ 

“Then there must be Indians all around 
here. ’ ’ 

“No doubt,” said Pierre calmly. “Ah, zat 
iss done,” he sighed as he finished loading his 
rifle. 

“Well, that’s what we were sent out to find 
out about,” exclaimed George. “How do 
you suppose they happened to be outside 
here?” 

“Zey track us.” 

“They picked up the trail we made last night, 
you mean?” 

“Yes. My cave iss secret no more.” 

“How’ll we ever get out of here?” 

“Have you forgot ze ozzer entrance so 
soon?” 

“But,” protested George, “we can’t go down 
the side of that cliff in the daytime; why the 
Indians would see us sure. We’d look just like 
flies on a wall.” 

“How about ze night though?” 

“Do you suppose any one could possibly find 
137 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


his way down there at nights Why it would be 
suicide to try it even. ’ ’ 

^^Zen we are besieged/’ said Pierre, ‘‘and 
we have only food to las’ free days.” 

“You don’t seem much worried about it,” 
remarked George, somewhat irritated by the 
trapper’s careless tone. All this time they 
kept their gaze fastened on the entrance. 

“No,” admitted Pierre. “I not worry.” 

“You think we can get out all right?” 

“Yes.” 

“Suppose they try to rush this entrance.” 

“Zen zey all fall into ze pit,” said Pierre 
calmly. “One man he can sit here and easy 
defend zis cave.” 

“Then why don’t you go back to where Den- 
nis and Alec are and let — ” 

The noise of Pierre’s gun interrupted 
George’s sentence and he saw a spurt of dirt 
kicked up by the ball alongside the big rock. 

“Did you see an Indian?” he demanded ex- 
citedly. 

“Zat is what I fire at.” 

“But I didn’t see him.” 

“Mebbe not. I did.” 

Pierre’s sharp eyes had detected the slight 
138 


BESIEGED 


movement of an arm outside the cave and he 
had wasted no time in firing at it. 

‘^It iss well to let zem know we are awake/ ^ 
remarked Pierre soberly. 

Many minutes passed and no further sign of 
their enemies was seen by the two watchers. 
Evidently the Indians had no desire to run the 
risk of showing themselves before the entrance. 

‘‘Perhaps theyVe gone/^ suggested George 
at length. 

“Oh no/’ said Pierre confidently. “They 
not go.” 

“Do you think they’ll wait for us to come 
out, no matter how long it may take to starve 
ns?” 

“I do. We will fool zem wiz zat ozzer en- 
trance, though.” 

“What do you suppose has happened to Alec 
and Dennis?” 

“I do not know.” 

“Perhaps they’re worried about us; we’ve 
been gone a long time you know and hearing 
those rifle shots and all they may think we’re 
dead.” 

“Zat iss so,” agreed Pierre. “One of us 
should go and tell zem.” 

139 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


don^t know the way.’’ 

‘‘And one mus’ stand watch.” 

“Which do you want me to do?” 

“I will stay here.” 

“I’ll have to have a light then,” exclaimed 
George. “I couldn’t possibly find my way in 
the dark.” 

“I will go wiz you till past zat hole,” said 
Pierre. “Zen all it will be for you to do iss 
to hold your han’ against ze wall.” 

“And that will lead me right into that room 
again?” 

‘ ‘ It will. ’ ’ Pierre rose to his feet as he spoke. 
“Come,” he said. 

“But who will keep watch while we are both 
away?” 

“No one. Zey will not come in here; zey do 
not dare.” 

Offering no further protest George allowed 
himself to be led back over the narrow and dan- 
gerous course. After a few moments Pierre 
stopped and directing George past him sent him 
on the way alone. 

“Keep your han’ on ze wall,” he ordered. 
“You will have no trouble. I will go back an’ 
watch.” 


140 


BESIEGED 


‘^How are we going to relieve yonT’ de- 
manded George. 

will come for some one; do not worry 
about me.’’ 

George heard Pierre start back on his return 
journey. It was inky dark and he did not like 
the prospect of walking alone through that 
dangerous place. He put out his hand and felt 
the damp wall beside him. The contact reas- 
sured him somewhat and he began gingerly to 
pick his way along. 

The floor was smooth under his feet and pres- 
ently he gained in confidence and increased his 
pace. It was not so bad after all, he thought, 
and the prospect of obtaining some breakfast 
cheered him considerably; he had had no food 
thus far that day. His mind was full of such 
thoughts and he also rehearsed the tale he 
would tell to Alec and Dennis about his and 
Pierre’s adventures that morning. 

Suddenly, however, his thoughts received a 
rude shock. All at once he felt himself locked 
in strong arms, his rifle was torn from his hand, 
and he was thrown heavily to the earth. Taken 
completely otf his guard he was unable to offer 
much resistance at first. His assailant was 
141 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 

powerful and as George felt a huge hand reach- 
ing for his throat he realized that he was in a 
desperate situation. 

He could not see his opponent or know what 
weapons he had with which to fight, but he knew 
that if he was to save his own life it must be 
by the use of his bare hands. His enemy had 
all the advantage of the first assault and as 
George fell, his assailant was on top. He 
could feel the great knotted fingers closing on 
his throat; he strove to cry out but his breath 
was shut off and no sound issued. 

George was not daunted, however. He knew 
his plight was desperate, but he did not give 
up. He exerted every ounce of strength he 
possessed and strove mightily to shake off that 
torturing hold from his throat. Perhaps his 
enemy had a tomahawk already upraised, ready 
to strike. "Where were Alec and Dennis 1 
How had this Indian come to be in that place? 
Did it mean that his two comrades had been 
surprised, overpowered, and perhaps murdered? 

The thought gave him abnormal strength and 
with a supreme effort he shook loose that fiend- 
ish grip. Gasping and choking, he struggled 
to his feet, hurling his opponent from him. 

142 


BESIEGED 


“Alec! Dennis!” he cried. “Help!” 

“Is it you, George 1” demanded a hoarse 
voice, coming from a spot almost at his feet. 

“Dennis!” exclaimed George. 

“An’ I tryin’ t’ murder ye,” groaned Dennis, 
for it was none other than the young Irishman 
who had attacked him. 

“Well, why were you?” demanded George, 
his surprise now rapidly changing to anger. 
“What did you think you were doing anyway?” 

“Alec an’ me thought you was dead, you an’ 
Pierre,” Dennis explained, still breathing hard. 
“We heard ye firin’ off thim guns an’ whin 
ye didn’t come back we was sure ye was 
dead.” 

“And you were going to find out for sure, I 
suppose,” said George. “Is that what you 
were doing in this tunnel?” 

“It was. I was on me way t’ look fer ye, 
whin I heard some wan cornin’.” 

“What made you think I was an Indian?” 

“Ye come along so stealthy like. I was shure 
ye was wan o’ thim bloody rid divils, an’ I 
made up me mind t’ finish ye.” 

“Why didn’t you hit me over the head with 
your rifle, or shoot me? I’m certainly glad 
143 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


you didn’t, though,” said George with a sigh. 

was afraid I’d miss ye,” explained Den- 
nis. thought that with me two hands I 
could take care o’ any Injin what I iver saw, 
an’ so I decided that was th’ best way.” 

‘‘Well you nearly finished me all right,” said 
George, ruefully feeling his throat. “I forgive 
you though and I say we get out of this dark- 
ness and go and find Alec.” 

They proceeded carefully hack to the room 
where they had slept the night before and there 
found Alec very glad to see them. 

“Well, George,” he exclaimed, “where’s 
Pierre, and what do you mean by giving Dennis 
and me such a scare T’ 

The story was quickly told. In spite of the 
fact that George told his two friends how con- 
fident Pierre was that they could easily make 
their escape down the cliif, Alec and Dennis 
were not convinced. Nor was George; he was 
frankly worried over their plight and was free 
to express his opinion. 

“It looks bad to me,” he exclaimed. 

“Well, it looks the same way to us,” Alec 
agreed, shaking his head. 

“Unless Pierre knows some way down that 
144 


BESIEGED 


cliff that we don’t,’’ said Dennis who always 
tried to see the bright side of things. 

^‘It’s not like him to be so confident unless 
he is pretty sure of himself,” remarked George. 

‘^Well, I hope he’s right,” exclaimed Alec. 
‘‘Let’s try not to worry unless we have to any- 
way. Want some breakfast, George?” 

‘ ‘ I certainly do, ’ ’ cried George eagerly. “I’m 
nearly starved.” 

“We’ll soon fix that,” said Dennis, and he 
produced a share of the scanty store of food 
that they still possessed. George wasted no 
time in appeasing his hunger, and when he was 
satisfied approached the opening in the cliff 
where Alec and Dennis were standing. 

“It looks peaceful enough down there on the 
valley,” he remarked gazing out across the 
country spread at their feet. 

“Yis, but th’ woods is no doubt full o’ thim 
In jins,” exclaimed Dennis grimly. “I’d like t’ 
git me hands on thim.” 

“Well, all you have to do is to go out where 
Pierre is and walk out the entrance to this 
cave,” said Alec. “You’ll find plenty of In- 
dians out around there I reckon.” 

“Yis, but I couldn’t get me hands on thim.” 
145 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


notr’ demanded George. 

“Because they’d all run.” 

“Eun from you?” exclaimed George. “A 
great chance of that I guess ! ’ ’ 

“Did I say they’d run from me?” 

“You said they’d run. If you didn’t mean 
that they’d run from you, what do you mean? 
Stop talking in riddles.” 

“I said I wouldn’t be able t’ git me hands on 
thim because they’d run, an’ that’s what I 
mean. They’d run fast too, but not half 
so fast as Dinnis. They’d nivir catch me 
neyther.” 

“Oh,” laughed George, “you mean you’d 
run from them?” 

“I do that. What could wan poor man like 
me do ag’inst all thim bloodthirsty sav- 
ages?” 

“Beat them in a running race, I guess,” 
smiled George. 

“I could that,” exclaimed Dennis grimly. 
“An’ if they nivir got their hands on me I 
guess I wouldn’t git mine on thim.” 

“Well, I think you two are crazy to stand 
there and talk a lot of nonsense like that,” said 
Alec. “What do you — ” 

146 


BESIEGED 


He suddenly stopped speaking. ‘‘Do either 
of you smell smoked’ he inquired. 

George and Dennis sniffed the air. “I do,’^ 
exclaimed George. “Where is it coming 
fromT’ 

‘ ‘ Look, ’ ’ said Alec, pointing across the room. 
Out from the dark passage leading to the other 
entrance of the cave floated a thin wisp of 
smoke. 

“Now where is that comin^ fromT’ ex- 
claimed Dennis anxiously. 

“You don’t suppose Pierre has built a fire, 
do you?” demanded George. 

“No chance of that,” said Alec firmly. “We 
must find out about this,” and he started to 
walk towards the spot whence the smoke issued. 

Halfway across the room he halted suddenly. 
Echoing and resounding through the cave came 
the sound of a rifle shot. 


CHAPTER XIV 

THE INDIANS’ STKATEGY 


T he three comrades looked at one another 
in alarm. What was the meaning of the 
strange smoke and the rifle shot? 

‘‘Pierre may be in trouble and need our 
help, ’ ’ exclaimed George. “ We ’d better go to 
him.” 

“If we can find our way,” said Alec doubt- 
fully. 

“Can’t we light a torch?” demanded George 
“An’ show th’ Injins just where to shoot I 
suppose,” said Dennis scornfully. 

“That’s true,” George admitted. “What 
can we do?” 

“We must risk it, that’s all,” exclaimed Alec. 
“I’m going.” 

He started for the passageway, but before 
he could reach it Pierre appeared from out the 
gloom. More and more smoke was now pour- 
148 


THE INDIANS’ STEATEGY 


ing forth, and the big Frenchman rubbed his 
smarting eyes. 

^^What is it, Pierre? What’s the matter?” 
demanded Alec eagerly. 

‘^Ze Indians,” exclaimed Pierre. ‘^Zey 
build a fire in ze entrance of ze cave and zey 
try to smoke us out.” 

‘‘How can they do that?” questioned George. 
“I should think that the minute they showed 
themselves at the entrance you could shoot 
them.” 

“But zey do not show zemselves.” 

“Then how do they keep the fire go- 
ing?” 

“Zey have sticks covered wiz pitch; zey light 
zem an’ throw zem down at ze entrance. Zen 
zey throw on more wood an’ ze win’ eet blow ze 
smoke into ze cave. Oh, eet iss had,” and 
Pierre dug his knuckles into his eyes which still 
stung and smarted. 

“And you can’t see them at all?” inquired 
Alec. 

“No.” 

“This is serious. Just look, more and more 
smoke is pouring through all the time too. 
What shall we do?” 


149 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


say charge th’ bloody rascals/^ ex- 
claimed Dennis valiantly. 

‘‘Yon don’t know how many of them there 
are,” said George. “As soon as we show our- 
selves outside they can pick us off. I don’t 
think your plan is a very good one.” 

“I don’t, nayther,” agreed Dennis. “We 
can’t stay here an’ git smoked out like a lot o’ 
woodchucks, though.” 

“Who fired that gun we heard a few minutes 
ago, Pierre?” asked Alec. 

“I did,” said Pierre. 

“I thought you said you couldn’t see any In- 
dians.” 

“I couldn’t; I shoot at ze fire.” 

‘ ‘ To try to scatter it I suppose ? ’ ’ said George. 

“Yes, but eet was no use.” 

“Whew! this smoke is getting pretty thick,” 
observed Alec, beginning to cough. He walked 
over to the opening and looked out. 

“Do ye see any Injins out there?” asked 
Dennis. 

“Not one.” 

“Well, they’ll soon see us.” 

“Why will they?” 

“Don’t ye know that all this smoke is begin- 
150 


THE INDIANS^ STEATEGY 


ning t’ pour out that intrince? Don’t ye 
suppose thim Injins will see it?” 

‘‘I not think of zat,” exclaimed Pierre sud- 
denly. ‘‘Eet iss best zat we get away from 
here. ’ ’ 

‘‘That’s right,” agreed Alec. “Those In- 
dians will see that smoke as sure as fate ; prob- 
ably they’ve seen it already.” 

“Do you think they’ll post scouts around on 
this side?” asked George. 

“No doubt of it,” said Alec. “They don’t 
miss anything.” 

“Can we go down the cliff now, Pierre?” 

“Yes, but eet iss dangerous.” 

“Because the Indians will see us?” 

“Yes.” 

“We’ve got to get out of here though,” ob- 
served Alec. “Outside there is a chance for 
us to get away from the Indians, but in here 
we don’t stand any chance at all. We’ll all 
choke to death in an hour. ’ ’ 

The smoke now poured forth in dense clouds ; 
it was full of the smell of pitch, and strangled 
and choked all who breathed it. A strong 
draught sucked it out of the passageway into the 
big room, where it hung low, and circling around 
11 151 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


made the four scouts’ position most uncom- 
fortable, and promised soon to render it dan- 
gerous. 

‘^When we do get down to the bottom of the 
cliff we’ll have a hard time hiding from the In- 
dians,” remarked George. ^‘The woods down 
there must be full of them.” 

Don’t worry about that part till ye are sure 
we’ll reach th’ bottom o’ th’ cliff,” observed 
Dennis soberly. ‘H’m not so positive we’ll do 
that.” 

‘^We must go,” observed Pierre at that mo- 
ment. ‘‘Zis smoke eet will soon be so t’ick we 
shall choke. Come. ’ ’ 

‘^Take what food you can carry easily,” di- 
rected Alec. ‘‘We may need all we’ve got, you 
know.” 

Precious rifles in hand the four scouts soon 
made ready to leave that dangerous spot. It 
might be that they were bound for one even 
more dangerous, but that was the risk they had 
to run. Pierre led the way, and parting the 
bushes that grew around the entrance he 
climbed out. 

“Careful,” he warned. “Zis iss danger- 
ous.” 


152 


THE INDIANS’ STEATEGY 


He stood on a narrow ledge, partially 
screened by the bushes, and waited for his three 
companions to join him. When the little band 
was together once more they crouched low be- 
hind the bushes, and peered out across the 
valley, and then glanced sharply about them in 
all directions. 

Major White could see us now!” whis- 
pered Dennis, guess he’d think we was 
scoutin’ all right.” 

‘‘Ssh!” hissed Pierre sharply. 

In absolute silence they waited. Finally 
Pierre began to move forward along the ledge, 
slowly and cautiously, and motioned for his 
three companions to follow him. In single file 
they proceeded. 

It was precarious work; the footing was 
treacherous and the path was narrow and most 
of the time they were within full view of the val- 
ley below. No one knew how many hostile In- 
dians might be watching them from some point 
of vantage and perhaps even waiting to ambush 
them when they had made the descent. 

‘^They’ll see us sure, Pierre,” exclaimed 
Alec finally. He was just behind the French- 
man and was very anxious. The path they 
153 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


were following apparently kept on indefinitely 
and seemed to lead nowhere. 

^^Have patience,’^ cautioned Pierre. 
know where eet iss I go.^’ 

The narrow ledge turned around a sharp cor- 
ner and melted away into the face of the cliff. 
Apparently there was no choice but to turn 
back. Pierre, however, did not hesitate ; hand- 
ing his gun to Alec he began to let himself down 
over the side of the cliff. 

‘‘Where’s he going?” exclaimed George in 
amazement. 

“Zere are steps cut in ze side here,” said 
Pierre. He placed his feet carefully in a niche 
and grasping a jutting piece of rock quickly de- 
scended to another ledge some six or eight feet 
below. 

“My gun,” he exclaimed to Alec, who quickly 
handed down the rifle. 

“An’ how does th’ last wan git his gun?” de- 
manded Dennis. “There’ll be no wan t’ hand 
it to him.” 

“Perhaps Pierre will take them all now, and 
wait for us,” George suggested. 

“I nivir thought of that,” said Dennis sheep- 
ishly. “I must be losin’ me mind.” 

154 


THE INDIANS^ STEATEGY 


The three remaining rifles were passed down 
to Pierre, who thereupon moved a short dis- 
tance along the ledge and waited for the others 
to join him. This they did in a short time and 
the procession was continued, this time in the 
opposite direction from that which they form- 
erly had taken. The narrow pathway sloped 
gently downward, and about fifty yards ahead 
of them appeared a broken and jumbled mass 
of rocks strewn over the face of the cliff all the 
way down to the valley below. 

‘‘Looks as if somewan had pushed off part 
o^ th’ cliff an’ broken it,” remarked Dennis. 
“There must have been a big slide whin thim 
fell.” 

“We go down over them, I suppose,” said 
George. 

“Well thin, we’re liable t’ slide oursilves,” 
said Dennis. “I hope th’ seat o’ me breeches 
will stand th’ strain.” 

Pierre and Alec, the older members of the 
little party, had no time to joke, however. 
They kept a sharp watch over all of the sur- 
rounding valley, and were in constant fear that 
some band of hostile Indians would suddenly 
appear and cut them off from their escape. 

155 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Soon they came to the rocks and began to 
climb over them and slide down the other side, 
and then repeat the performance. It was hard 
work and as they came closer and closer to the 
bottom they used ever-increasing caution. 
Suddenly a muffled exclamation from Pierre 
brought the little party to a halt; every mem- 
ber lay still as a statue, striving to make him- 
self as inconspicuous as possible against the 
rock. 

‘AVhat is it, Pierre whispered Alec. 

^Hndians,’’ said Pierre. ‘‘Over by zose 
trees.’’ 

Moving their heads carefully and slowly his 
three companions finally discovered the cause 
of Pierre’s alarm. In front of a clump of trees 
about a half-mile distant were two Indians on 
horseback. Side by side they sat and one of 
them raised his arm and pointed in the direc- 
tion of the cliff. 

“What’s he p ’intin’ at?” demanded Dennis. 
“Does he see us?” 

“He see ze smoke,” said Pierre. 

Over their heads the smoke poured out of the 
entrance to the cave in a steadily increasing 
volume. In dense clouds it issued, seemingly 
156 


THE INDIANS^ STRATEGY 


from the face of the clitf itself and no wonder 
the Indians had stopped to point at it. 

‘‘They’ll be over here to investigate pretty 
soon,” George surmised. 

“Unless they’re of the same band that 
started the fire at the other entrance,” said 
Alec. 

“In that case I should think they’d be all 
the more apt to come over here,” said George. 
“They’ll see that there is another entrance 
from the one they guarded and they’ll want to 
find out about it.” 

“They’ll be over here; that’s the main 
p’int,” said Dennis. 

“Zey will,” agreed Pierre. 

“What’ll we do thenU’ demanded George. 

“Don’t ye think four of us can handle two 
o’ thim bloody rascals!” exclaimed Dennis in 
disgust. “I’m ashamed o’ ye.” 

“Suppose they bring a dozen more with 
them,” George suggested. 

“That’s ditferint,” admitted Dennis soberly. 
“Howivir, we’ll let thim know they was in a 
scrap before we quit.” 

“I wish we had horses,” muttered 
Alec. 


157 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Go wan/^ exclaimed Dennis. “I’d rather 
be murdered.” 

“Zey go away,” said Pierre suddenly. 

True enough the two Indians all at once 
started their horses and quickly disappeared 
around a corner of the little patch of trees. 

“Now’s our chanst,” said Dennis eagerly. 
“We can reach the woods before they come 
back. ’ ’ 

“Well, I guess we cannot,” exclaimed Alec 
shortly. “In the first place it must be nearly 
a mile to the main woods, and in the second 
place I believe those Indians will be back before 
we can reach shelter.” 

“An’ so I think too,” said Pierre. 

“Why do ye I” inquired Dennis. 

“No Indian would let a thing like that smoke 
up there go by without finding out all about 
it,” said Alec confidently. “They’ve gone for 
help. ’ ’ 

“An’ I s’pose we will sit here on this rock 
like a lot of turtles on a log, an’ wait for thim 
t’ come an’ lift our scalps,” remarked Dennis 
grimly. “A fine plan I think.” 

“We will not,” said Pierre. “Eet iss here 
we will stay,” and he proceeded to crawl down 
158 


THE INDIANS’ STEATEGY 


from the big flat rock upon which they were 
seated. At one side and just below them was 
a place some ten feet square, surrounded on 
all sides by the huge rocks. It formed a 
natural pocket in which any one could hide and 
escape detection from all directions except 
from above. 

“This is a great place to hide,” exclaimed 
George enthusiastically when they had all 
gained this refuge. “Unless the Indians come 
right to the spot, or manage to find their way 
through this entrance in the cave they’ll never 
see us here.” 

“An’ we can see nothing nayther,” remarked 
Dennis. 

“Can’t some one stand on a stone and look 
over the top?” 

“An’ his head will be in plain sight.” 

“I can fix zat,” exclaimed Pierre. He took 
two large stones which lay at the bottom of 
their hiding place and lifted them to the top 
of the rocks on the side facing the valley. The 
barrier was about six feet high there and he 
had to stretch to place the stones in position, 
for they were about the size of his head and 
consequently were heavy. 

159 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


don’t see th’ idea,” remarked Dennis 
curiously as lie watched the Frenchman at 
work. 

The stones were placed side by side and per- 
haps two inches apart. Then Pierre brought 
two other big stones and placed them on the 
ground directly below the ones on top of the 
rock. Standing on these stone footstools his 
head reached a little higher than the level of 
the rock but not so high as to be visible above 
the two stones. 

‘‘Ye stand an’ look out between th’ two 
stones; is that it?” exclaimed Dennis, sud- 
denly realizing what Pierre was driving at. 

“Eet iss,” said Pierre. “I can see zem, but 
zey not see me.” 

“Well, we ought to have a lookout there all 
the time,” said Alec. “Suppose we take 
turns, and I’ll start if you say so.” 

“When night comes we’ll sneak out of here 
and try to get back to camp, I suppose,” re- 
marked George. 

“We certainly ought to try to get away from 
here,” observed Alec as he took his place on 
the stones and gazed out across the valley. 

For an hour Alec stood guard, while the 
160 


THE INDIANS’ STRATEGY 


three other members of the band sat well 
screened in the pocket” or lay down and tried 
to rest. A bed of stones is not the softest rest- 
ing place in the world, however, and even these 
hardy frontiersmen were unable to make them- 
selves comfortable. They watched the smoke 
which still poured from the cave in dense clouds 
and wondered why the Indians did not return 
to investigate as they had expected them to do. 

‘ ^ They probably think we ’re all dead by this 
time,” said George. 

‘Hf ony o’ thim will only show their faces 
we’ll soon prove that we’re not dead,” ex- 
claimed Dennis. “I wisht we had run f’r the 
woods.” 

Pierre did not condescend to reply to this 
criticism of his plan of campaign. He sat 
silent and thoughtful, gazing dreamily up at 
the smoke which meant that the secret of his 
cave was no longer his. At the end of an hour 
he relieved Alec, and when his time had elapsed 
George took his place. The third hour passed 
and still there were no signs of the Indians. 
It was mid-afternoon when Dennis went on 
duty. 

He had stood on the stones and gazed across 
161 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


the valley scarcely five miniites, when he sud- 
denly turned to the others. 

‘‘Hist,’’ he whispered hoarsely. “Here 
they come.” 


CHAPTEE XV 


A LIVELY SKIRMISH 


PON receipt of this startling news the 



first thing that every one did was to look 
at the priming of his gun. It was no time to 
have a misfire when the Indians were attacking. 

‘‘How many of them are there demanded 
Alec. 

“Hundrids,’^ said Dennis. “I can’t see 
thim all yit.” 

“Are they coming out of the woods?” 

“Around that corner where thim other two 
wint. ’ ’ 

“Are they on foot or horseback?” asked 
George excitedly. 

“Horseback.” 

“Let me see zem,” said Pierre quietlj', and 
at once Dennis yielded his observation post to 
the Frenchman. 

“Zere iss a beeg party of zem,” said Pierre 
after a moment. 


163 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Dennis said there were hundreds/’ re- 
marked George hopefully — ^hopefully because 
he hoped Dennis would be shown to he 
wrong. 

Pierre counted slowly. ‘^Zere are forty- 
seex/’ he said at last. 

‘^Coming this way?” 

‘‘Yes.” 

“Can’t we put another stone up there?” in- 
quired Dennis. “Then, two of us could see 
and two shoot whin th’ time comes.” 

“Zey would see eet sure,” said Pierre. 
“Also I hope ze time will not come when we 
have to shoot.” 

‘ ‘ Suppose they come and climb right up over 
these rocks?” exclaimed Alec. “I guess we’d 
have to shoot then, wouldn’t we?” 

“Yes,” admitted Pierre, “but let us hope zey 
will not do zat.” 

“How far away are they?” 

“Maybe one quarter of a mile.” 

“May I see for a second?” 

“And after you I’d like to take just one 
look,” said George eagerly. “If we’ve got 
to fight I’d like to know who our opponents 
are.” 


164 


A LIVELY SKIRMISH 


Pierre yielded his place to Alec, who after a 
moment, in turn gave way to George. Every- 
one took great care that the rocks on which he 
stood should not be disturbed nor make any 
sound which might be heard by the sharp- 
eared redskins. His heart beating wildly, 
George peered out. 

A long line of ponies stretched out across the 
plain, and on the back of every one was an 
Indian. They were scarcely three hundred 
yards distant now. George could see the 
hideous war paint, and at the sight the cold 
shivers ran up and down his spine. 

“You donT see Burch wit’ thim, do ye?” 
whispered Dennis. 

George had forgotten Burch. Was it only 
yesterday that Pierre had fired at the horseman 
in the valley below? So much had occurred 
since that time it seemed years ago. Was it 
really Burch at whom he had fired? What did 
he suspect him of? What would Burch, a 
peaceful citizen of Vincennes, be doing with a 
band of hostile redmen? Pierre was crazy on 
the subject, he decided. All these thoughts 
flashed through his mind in the space of a sec- 
ond, and he dismissed them instantly. This 
165 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


was no time to be wondering about the foolish 
suspicions of a French trapper, 

‘‘There are no white men there at all/’ he 
replied. 

“Don’t you think you’d better let Pierre get 
up there r’ suggested Alec. 

“Yes,” agreed George at once. He stepped 
down and Pierre took his place. 

“I thought Pierre was the one to keep a look- 
out and tell us what to do,” explained Alec in a 
low voice. “He knows more than the rest of 
us.” 

“Of course he does,” said George. “He’s 
the man to be there.” 

“Zey come nearer,” whispered Pierre after 
a moment. His three comrades took a stronger 
grip on their rifles and set their jaws tighter. 
The sound of the ponies’ hoofs came faintly to 
their ears. 

“Zey stop,” whispered Pierre. “Zey are 
but one hundred yards away now.” 

“The rid divils!” muttered Dennis. “We’ll 
show ’em!” 

The Indians sat in silence and gazed curi- 
ously at the smoke pouring from the cave. 
Finally one of the chiefs, a big broad- 
166 


A LIVELY SKIRMISH 


shouldered man, and straight as an arrow, 
turned to the others. He wore a headdress of 
eagles^ feathers and was apparently possessed 
of authority. He spoke a few words in low 
guttural tones and six men speedily rode a few 
steps forward. There they halted while the 
others wheeled their ponies, and rode swiftly 
otf across the valley. 

“All go ’way, hut seex,” whispered Pierre. 

“What do you suppose they’re up to!” 
queried George in a low voice. 

“Dunno,” returned Alec shortly. 

“What are the six doing, Pierre?” whispered 
George. 

For answer the trapper merely put his 
finger to his lips. 

Minutes that seemed like hours passed. The 
muffled sound of the forty ponies’ hoofs died 
away in the distance and all became still. 
Silence reigned in the cavern in the rocks 
where Alec, George and Dennis stood with eyes 
riveted on Pierre. 

“Zey get off zero horses,” whispered Pierre 
suddenly. 

“Let ’em come!” muttered Dennis fiercely. 
“We’ll fix thim.” 


13 


167 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Zey come zis way,” announced Pierre a 
moment later. He turned and glanced in the 
direction of the smoke above them; whether or 
not it was instinct that caused him to do so is 
hard to say, but at any rate it was a most 
fortunate move. 

His three comrades saw the expression of 
his face suddenly change. He stepped down 
quickly from the two rocks on which he was 
standing and still looking up at the face of the 
cliff began slowly to raise his gun. His com- 
panions glanced behind them to discover the 
reason for these strange actions and what they 
saw was two Indians standing outlined against 
the sky on top of the cliff directly above the 
entrance to the cave. 

‘^We^re trapped,” exclaimed Alec in a tense 
voice. 

‘‘Do they see us yet?” whispered George. 

“They do not,” retorted Alec and as he 
spoke one of the Indians suddenly pointed 
down at the hiding-place of the four scouts be- 
low and then strove to jump back from sight 
and pull his companion with him. He was too 
late, however. There was a sharp report from 
Pierre’s gun and the unlucky brave fell for- 
168 


A LIVELY SKIRMISH 


ward to his knees; he clutched wildly at bits 
of grass and at bushes in an effort to save him- 
self, but to no avail. Struggling convulsively 
he slid over the edge of the cliff and a moment 
later came hurtling down through mid-air; his 
body struck the top of a near-by rock with a 
report that could have been heard a half-mile 
away. 

They ’ll all be after us now,” cried Alec. 
‘‘We’re done for.” 

“Keep watch on zat cliff,” ordered Pierre 
curtly. “Give me zat gun,” and he snatched 
Alec’s rifle from his hand. Springing back to 
his former place on the rocks he leveled the 
rifle and fired at one of the six Indians in the 
valley. They had seen their comrade suddenly 
pitch downward to his death and for a moment 
had stood amazed at the unexpected event. 
Whence had come the bullet anyway? True 
the smoke had curled up from Pierre’s gun, 
but almost before it was visible he had taken 
aim at one of them with Alec’s rifle. 

Scarcely had the noise of the report died 
away when what had once been a proud and 
haughty brave, lay in a huddled heap upon the 
prairie. 


169 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Take my gun, Pierre,^’ urged George ex- 
citedly. 

The five remaining Indians turned and 
sprang for their ponies, but Pierre was too 
quick for them. There was a sharp bark from 
George’s rifle and another lay alongside his 
comrade. 

“Give him your gun, Dennis,” cried George, 
already engaged in reloading one of the empty 
rifles. 

“Watch zat cliff!” reminded Pierre as he 
grasped the proffered gun, and aimed it at one 
of the four remaining Indians. Their ponies, 
startled by the firing, had snorted and started 
off. Consequently the Indians were having a 
hard time in mounting and soon another fell 
a victim to the Frenchman’s deadly aim. 

George and Dennis were feverishly engaged 
in reloading the empty guns and presently an- 
other was placed in Pierre’s hands. The In- 
dians, however, had caught their ponies by this 
time and were racing madly off across the 
plain. Their one idea seemed to be to escape 
the hidden marksman who fired so frequently 
and with such unerring accuracy. Pierre’s 
last shot went wild. 


170 


A LIVELY SKIRMISH 


‘‘Any more up ze cliff T’ he demanded, turn- 
ing his head for the first time. 

“None in sight,’’ replied Alec, who had kept 
his gaze steadily fixed in that direction. 

“We get out zen,” exclaimed Pierre quickly. 
“Load ze guns and come.” 

“We certainly will,” agreed Dennis heartily. 
“They’ll be swarmin’ around here like bees 
prisintly. ’ ’ 

It was the work of but a moment to load the 
empty guns, and without any delay the four 
scouts clambered up over the rocks and started 
to run across the valley. A half-mile ahead of 
them were the woods and to reach their shelter 
and protection was the one idea of the little 
band. 

With hardly a backward look they passed the 
three stark forms lying on the ground at the 
base of the cliff. The riderless ponies browsed 
some distance away, but no attention was paid 
them. Now and again one of the four fugitives 
threw a quick glance over his shoulder at the 
top of the cliff behind them. 

Thus far no Indians had appeared, but far otf 
down the valley could be seen the forms of 
three galloping horsemen. It was a certainty 
171 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


that soon the remainder of the large band of 
braves would return to avenge their dead com- 
rades, and when they did it would fare ill with 
any one who might fall into their hands. 


CHAPTER XVI 

THE MAN OF MYSTEBY 

N earer and nearer came the four scouts 
to the woods. If only they could reach 
the shelter of the forest the first dangerous 
part of their journey would be over. 

‘‘Maybe there are Indians hiding in the edge 
of the woods waiting for us/’ puffed Alec, 
whose wind was not as good as it once was. 
“We must risk zat,” returned Pierre. 
“Yis,” panted Dennis. “I wouldn’t stop 
now f’r Tecumseh himsilf.” 

At a jog trot they plodded along and soon 
were only a hundred yards from their destina- 
tion. All four of the fugitives kept a sharp 
lookout in all directions in order to guard 
against surprise if possible. It was not a com- 
fortable feeling to know that while they were 
out in the open and in plain view their enemies 
might be calmly waiting for them to draw a 
bit nearer so that they could be sure of their 
aim. 


173 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Suddenly Pierre halted. He threw himself 
prone on the ground and called to the others 
to do the same. horse iss coming/’ he 
whispered. 

Prom the woods came the sound of a horse’s 
hoofs and the four scouts kept their rifles 
pointed in the direction whence the noise came. 
All at once the horseman appeared, riding 
swiftly towards them. 

Dennis uttered a low exclamation and sprang 
to his feet. ‘‘ ’Tis Burch!” he cried in amaze- 
ment. 

His three companions instantly recognized 
the rider as Arnold Burch, and quickly rose 
from the ground. Apparently he was alone for 
no one else appeared and it was soon evident 
that he was as much surprised to see the four 
scouts as they were to see him. George heard 
a muffled exclamation from Pierre as they gath- 
ered around the horse now brought to an abrupt 
halt by its rider. Burch eyed the four friends 
coldly and said nothing. 

^^Well,” exclaimed Alec, ‘Vhat are you 
doing here!” 

‘Hs that any of your business!” demanded 
Burch. 


174 


THE MAN OF MYSTERY 


‘‘Alec,’^ exclaimed Dennis hotly, ‘‘if I was 
you I’d bash his bloomin’ head f’r ’im.” 

“Oh, no, you wouldn’t either,” retorted 
Burch, and clapping spurs to his horse he en- 
deavored to ride away. 

Pierre, however, was too quick for him and 
grasping the horse by its bridle he held 
on sturdily. “Oh, no you don’t,” he said 
calmly. 

“What are you trying to doT’ demanded 
Burch. “Let me go! I have important busi- 
ness and I advise you not to delay me. ’ ’ 

“Where are you going?” asked Pierre. 

“I’m on a mission for Governor Harrison 
and you’d better let me pass.” 

“Are you going up zis valley?” 

“Yes, I’m going up zis valley,” mimicked 
Burch. 

Pierre, however, gave no sign that he was 
conscious of the insult. “Do you know zat ze 
valley iss full of Indians?” he inquired. 

“Suppose it is. I’ve got to go just the 
same.” 

“Eet iss very dangerous. Mebbe you better 
take some ozzer way.” 

“I’m no coward,” said Burch coldly. 

175 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^No, I think zat you are a liar/^ said Pierre 
quietly. 

‘‘Let me go!’^ exclaimed Burch. “1^11 re- 
port you to Governor Harrison if you don’t, 
and besides you’ll have every Indian in the 
country at our throats if you don’t get away 
from here.” 

“Ye jist said je didn’t moind Injins,” said 
Dennis. “Take a look around, George, me 
boy, an’ see if ye see ony o’ thim.” 

“None in sight,” George reported. 

“What are ye plannin’ t’ do with this ras- 
cal, Pierre?” inquired Dennis. 

Burch bit his lip nervously and his face 
showed plainly that he was worried. He 
glanced hurriedly up and down the valley. 

“See any Indians?” asked Alec sarcasti- 
cally. 

“Only dead ones I guess,” said Dennis 
grimly. 

“Who killed them?” inquired Burch quickly. 

“Ask him is it ony o’ his business, Alec,” 
Dennis advised. 

Burch flushed angrily at this remark, and 
then turned to Pierre. “Are you going to let 
me go, or not?” he demanded. “As sure as I 
176 


THE MAN OF MYSTEEY 

sit here 1^11 report you at headquarters if you 
don’t.’’ 

‘‘What headquarters?” asked Pierre 
quietly. 

“What ones do you think?” Burch almost 
shouted. 

“Zat iss what I ask you.” 

“Governor Harrison’s, of course. Let me 
go, I say.” 

“Perhaps he’s telling the truth, Pierre,” 
said George. “We’d better let him go.” 

Pierre plainly wavered, but seemed loath to 
release the horse. “Mebbe so,” he admitted 
skeptically. “Shall I let heem go?” 

“Let him go an’ maybe he’ll git kilt,” sug- 
gested Dennis. “Ony man with manners so 
bad as his should git shot.” 

“Very well,” agreed Pierre. “But I warn 
you, Burch,” he added fiercely, “zat if I find 
you have not told us ze truth I will surely kill 
you.” 

Burch sat in silence, making no reply to this 
threat. 

“You hear zat?” demanded Pierre. 

“Yes,” he answered curtly. 

“Well, zen remember eet,” and Pierre took 
177 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


his hand off the bridle. Instantly Burch dug 
his spurs into his mount and a moment later 
was galloping furiously up the valley. 

The four scouts stood and watched him in 
silence for a few moments and then Pierre 
turned to the others. ‘‘Come,’^ he urged. 
^‘We must go.’’ 

^‘What d’ ye think o’ that fellow?” de- 
manded Dennis, as they resumed their course. 
‘‘He’s a queer one all right.” 

“I wonder if he was the man you fired at 
from the cave, Pierre,” exclaimed George. 
“It certainly looked like him.” 

“What would he be doing with a lot of In- 
dians?” queried Alec. 

“That’s just what I’d like to know,” said 
George. “What do you think about it, 
Pierre ? ’ ’ 

The trapper stopped for a moment and was 
gazing fixedly up the valley. His jaw was set 
firmly and his eyes narrowed, as he peered out 
through the half-shut lids. Far in the distance 
could be seen the figure of Burch rapidly dis- 
appearing from view. Pierre turned away 
with a sigh, glanced about him and once again 
was the alert scout of a few moments before; 
178 


THE MAN OF MYSTERY 

it seemed as if he had shaken himself out of a 
trance. 

‘^We must not stay out in ze open like zis,” 
he said suddenly. ‘‘Eet iss dangerous.’’ 

Far behind them appeared the cliff whose 
steep side they had descended but a short time 
before. The smoke still poured from the en- 
trance to the cave and curled dreamily upward, 
outlined against the sinking sun. No Indians 
were to be seen as the four scouts turned for 
one last look just before they entered the 
woods. The whole region appeared to be 
happy and peaceful and to reflect the quiet of 
the early autumn day; it did not seem possible 
that that afternoon men had been killed in that 
same vaUey. 

As the little band were entering the forest, 
however, there suddenly came to their ears the 
report of a rifle and a bullet whined close over 
their heads. 


CHAPTER XVII 


IN THE FOEEST 

S PREAD out!” cried Alec, and separating 
immediately the four scouts ran forward, 
farther into the woods. 

A short distance ahead was a large fallen 
tree and behind this the little party was soon 
established. Resting their rifles on the log 
they peered eagerly through the trees to dis- 
cover, if possible, whence the shot had come. 

‘‘You look ze ozzer way too, George,” in- 
structed Pierre. “Zey may be all around us.” 

The woods were open here, that is the spaces 
between the trees were quite large and there 
was but little underbrush. It did not seem pos- 
sible that an enemy could conceal himself 
effectively here, but at the same time it also 
meant that none of the four fugitives could be 
well hidden either. 

“If I see wan shall I pot him?” whispered 
Dennis. 


180 


IN THE FOEEST 


‘^But certainly,’’ replied Pierre. ‘^Eet iss 
our life or theirs.” 

Many minutes passed and no sign of an In- 
dian appeared. A gray squirrel came cau- 
tiously down the trunk of a nearby tree, flick- 
ing his bushy tail and looking inquiringly 
around him with bright beady eyes. A jay 
flew overhead alighting on an overhanging 
branch where he shrieked raucously and told 
all the news, gossip that he was. The forest 
apparently had resumed its normal life and it 
seemed incredible that there could be human 
beings there waiting for an opportunity to take 
one another’s lives. 

Suddenly Dennis uttered a slight grunt and 
took a tighter grip on his rifle. He peered 
intently in the direction of a low-growing bush 
in front of their position and kept his finger 
lightly on the trigger. Not once did he relax 
his gaze for an instant. Tense and nerved for 
action he remained motionless for some mo- 
ments and then he suddenly fired. 

Behind the bush there was a noise as if some 
one had fallen and then all was still. 

fixed him,” muttered Dennis grimly. 

^‘An Indian?” queried George. 

181 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^^Did ye t^ink it was a frog?” 

The noise of the gun died away and silence 
once more covered the forest with its blanket. 
The bluejay scolded louder than ever, and the 
gray squirrel peered from the hole in the tree 
where the shot had driven him. He even de- 
bated whether or not it was safe for him to 
venture forth again. Minute after minute 
passed. 

‘‘I’m goin’ t’ move,” announced Dennis 
finally. 

“You’ll get shot the second you show your 
head,” George protested. 

“Did ye see any Injins behind us?” 

“None at all.” 

“An’ there is none this way either. We 
can’t stay here forivir, can we, Pierre?” 

“No,” Pierre admitted. 

“Don’t ye think we’d better move?” 

“Perhaps, yes.” 

“Come on, thin,” and Dennis rose boldly to 
his feet as he spoke. 

Nothing happened as a result of this move on 
his part and soon his three companions joined 
him. They stole forward cautiously to the 
bush, and two going around it from each side 
182 


IN THE FOEEST 


they advanced. Lying face downward on the 
ground on the other side was the body of an 
Indian. He was stone dead, a bullet through 
his temple. Dennis turned him over and the 
hideous war paint that covered his face was 
exposed to view. 

‘‘A Shawnee,’’ announced Pierre. 

‘^You tell by his paint!” inquired George. 

^‘Yes.” 

^‘How’d you happen to see him, Dennis!” 
asked Alec. 

^‘I see something movin’ an’ after watchin’ 
f ’r some time I decided it must be wan o’ thim 
In jins. No animal would have gone so slow 
an’ if ’twas a white man he would have showed 
himself. ’ ’ 

^‘Do you suppose he was the one who fired 
at us!” said George. 

‘‘Probably,” replied Alec. “If we don’t 
move out of here we’ll be fired on again too. 
We may not get otf so lucky next time.” 

“You plan to go right back to Vincennes, 
Pierre ! ’ ’ 

“We should.” 

“What can we report to Major White!” 

“What we have seen.” 

183 


13 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘He sent us out to investigate a big band of 
Indians supposed to be operating near here,’’ 
said George. “All we have seen is one party 
of about fifty.” 

“Well, wouldn’t you say the country was 
swarmin’ with them?” Alec demanded. “It 
seems to me we can truthfully report that.” 

“Hist!” cautioned Dennis suddenly. “Lie 
down, all o’ ye.” 

On the frontier no one ever questioned an 
order like that; to delay, perhaps only for a 
second, and demand the reason might have 
meant death. As one man the four scouts 
dropped to the ground and lay still. 

“What is it, Dennis?” whispered George a 
few moments later. 

“Injins. I seen thim through the trees.” 

“I hear ze horses’ hoofs,” said Pierre softly. 
^‘Come, we will see.” 

He began to worm his way forward towards 
‘the edge of the forest. His three comrades 
accompanied him and gradually they ap- 
proached the open plain. Luckily the woods 
did not extend for more than fifty yards from 
the spot where Dennis had shot the Indian, so 
it did not take long for the four scouts to cover 
184 


IN THE FOREST 


that distance. About ten yards from the edge 
of the trees the advance halted and screened 
by a clump of bushes the members of the little 
band were able to command a clear view of 
the valley without being in sight themselves. 
The sight that met their gaze was a strange 
one. 

The sun was low in the western sky and its 
rays shone full into the eyes of the four scouts. 
Holding their hands up to keep out the glare 
they peered out and saw something that made 
them catch their breath. Strung out in a long 
line was a band of Indians, on horseback, and 
traveling swiftly up the valley in the same di- 
rection that Burch had gone a short time 
before. 

‘‘What a target!’’ whispered George. The 
Indians outlined clearly against the setting sun 
offered very tempting marks indeed. They 
were scarcely one hundred yards distant. 

“Shall I shoot wan f’r ye?” questioned 
Dennis. 

“Don’t be a fool,” muttered Alec fiercely. 
“Do you want to have them all after us?” 

“Count zem,” whispered Pierre. “Zat iss 
ze important thing.” 


185 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^Some have passed on out of sight/ ^ said 
George in a low voice. 

‘‘Count the rest then/^ suggested Alec test- 
ily. His naturally sharp tongue seemed to be 
getting sharper every day, though he never 
meant any real harm by his remarks. They 
did not bother his friends at all. 

Their ponies traveling at a swift trot, the 
Indians swept past. Apparently they had 
some definite object in mind and were in a 
hurry to reach it. Dozens of them moved by, 
their painted bodies glistening in the rays of 
the sun. Finally the last one disappeared 
from sight and the valley resumed its quiet and 
peaceful look once more. Night was falling 
fast. 

“Well,’^ remarked Alec finally, “that looks 
like all of them.’’ 

“How many did you count?” asked 
George. 

“Seventy-nine.” 

“I counted eighty-wan,” said Dennis. 

“And I eighty-three,” said Pierre. 

“How about you?” Alec asked of George. 

“Eighty-one.” 

“That must be right,” exclaimed Dennis tri- 
186 


IN THE FOEEST 

nmphantly, ''because that's what I counted 
mesilf." 

"Call it eighty," exclaimed George, "and at 
that we didn't see them all." 

"Suppose there were twenty we missed," 
said Alec. "With those we saw earlier in the 
day that would make a pretty good-sized 
party." 

"One hundred an' fifty Injins," mused 
Dennis. 

"We have something to report now, eh*?" 
demanded Pierre. 

"Yes, and we'd better get back and do it just 
as soon as we can, I think," remarked Alec. 
"What's your opinion, Pierre?" 

"We should go back," agreed the trapper. 
"Eet will be ver^ hard for us to reach Vin- 
cennes tonight zough." 

"I should think night would be the best time 
for us to travel," said George. "If this coun- 
try is as full of Indians, as it seems to be, we’ll 
surely be seen if we start back in daylight. ' ' 

"True," admitted Pierre. "Can we see to 
go through ze forest in ze dark?" 

"I'm afraid I can't," said Dennis. "I'd 
break me head sure." 


187 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^‘Well, if you didn’t do it yourself, some 
Indian would do it for you,” exclaimed Alec. 
‘‘A feller that makes as much noise as you do 
wouldn’t stand very much chance.” 

‘‘Is that so?” began Dennis angrily. “Just 
th’ same I can — ” 

“Do not argue,” said Pierre. “Let us go.” 

“I thought you weren’t going to travel at 
night?” said George. 

“Well, it isn’t night yet, is it?” queried 
Alec. “You just leave it to Pierre, and he’ll 
do the right thing all right.” 

“I’m willing,” agreed George cheerfully. 
“Lead on, Pierre.” 


CHAPTEE XVni 


AN ADVENTUEE 

U NTIL darkness made it impossible for 
them to travel farther, the four scouts 
advanced through the woods. In dead silence 
they went now, every sense alert to guard 
against possible surprise. The shadows and 
dark patches in the forest at night have caused 
many a brave man to start and grip his gun 
more tightly. What wonder that members of 
this little band should see the forms of Indians 
in the fantastic shapes the night gave to the 
objects about them? 

Finally Pierre called a halt. ‘‘We sleep 
here,’’ he said briefly. 

Without fire and without blankets they threw 
themselves upon the ground and almost imme- 
diately were asleep. That is, all but Alec, for 
it had fallen to his lot to stand the first watch. 
Dennis was to relieve Alec and following the 
young Irishman, George was to take his turn. 
Pierre’s watch was to be the last and the most 
189 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


important one, — the time just before dawn. 

Nothing happened to disturb the peace of the 
long night, however, and as the first streaks of 
light shimmered through the forest trees, 
Pierre aroused his sleeping companions. 

‘‘A leetle food first,’’ he said when they were 
all three awake. ‘^Then we go fast for Vin- 
cennes.” 

‘‘How far is it!” asked George. 

“Mebbe ten mile.” 

“Thin we’ll be there in time f’r dinner,” ex- 
claimed Dennis joyously. 

“Sh,” cautioned Alec. “Don’t talk so 
loud.” 

“Look here,” said Dennis, turning to Alec. 
“I seem t’ disturb ye all th’ time wit’ me 
loud talk. What do ye want me t’ do about 
it!” 

“Talk softly,” said Alec irritably. “Every 
Indian in the neighborhood will be on our trail 
if you don’t make less noise.” 

“Ye may be right,” Dennis admitted. “At 
the same time, onless y’are a bit more perlite 
with yer advice I’ll be timpted t’ take yer head 
an’ bang it ag’inst some hard tree. If I do that, 
it’ll make more noise than a rid-hidded wood- 
190 


AN ADVENTURE 


pecker an’ ye know what that is. Do ye think 
that would be worse than me loud talk?” 

‘‘Stop arguing, you two,” exclaimed George. 
“Eat your food and get ready to start. I know 
Pierre doesn’t want to waste any more time 
than he can help.” 

“All right,” agreed Dennis, cheerily. “By 
the way,” he added a moment later, “spakin’ 
o’ rid-hidded woodpeckers reminds me o’ 
somethin’.” 

“What?” inquired George innocently. 

“Do ye really ask me that?” demanded Den- 
nis, feigning surprise. 

“You just heard me, didn’t you?” 

“Yis, but it seemed too good to be true. It 
reminds me o’ ye, o’ course.” 

“All right,” smiled George. “I’ll admit 
my hair is red, but it doesn’t seem to me you 
ought to object to that. Plenty of Irishmen 
have red hair, you know.” 

“Do I know it? O’ course I know it, and 
I meant no offinse whin I compared ye to a bird. 
It was a pretty bird anyway.” 

“Yes,” laughed George. “I’d much rather 
look like a red-headed woodpecker than a great 
many other birds I know.” 

191 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Did you ever hear a sillier lot of talk, 
Pierre r’ demanded Alec disgustedly. “I 
think these two boys are simple-minded. Com- 
paring each other to birds! Who ever heard 
of such nonsense 1 Bah ! ’ ^ 

“Zey are young, answered Pierre. “When 
one iss young his mind mus’ play also as his 
body. Eet iss all good for zem.’’ 

“Certainly it is, Alec,” said George. 
“Don^t you worry about us.” 

“Ze best way to stop all zis talk iss to move 
on,” announced Pierre before Alec could reply. 
“Let us go.” 

Without further delay they all rose to their 
feet. A moment later Pierre was threading his 
way through the forest, closely followed by his 
three comrades. Their moccasined feet made 
no noise on the soft earth and silently as In- 
dians they skulked along. There was no time 
for conversation now ; every one was concerned 
only with making the fastest time that was con- 
sistent with safety. 

For nearly two hours they traveled in this 
fashion. During that time nothing had hap- 
pened to cause them the slightest alarm and it 
seemed as if their journey would soon be over. 

192 


AN ADVENTURE 


A short distance ahead the forest ended and an 
open space led down to the river. 

will go ahead an’ reconnoiter, ” an- 
nounced Pierre. 

His companions halted while he stole for- 
ward. He advanced stealthily to the edge of 
the trees and peered around cautiously. Then 
all at once the three watchers saw him stand 
boldly upright and turn towards them ex- 
citedly. 

‘‘Come quick!” he shouted. “Come an’ 
see!” 

The three scouts ran forward eagerly and 
soon came to the spot where Pierre stood wait- 
ing for them. What they saw was well worth 
running for, too. Strung out in a long line 
over the open stretch of country lying between 
the forest and the Wabash, was an army. Nor 
was it an army of Indians, but of white men, — 
their own troops. 

“Look at ’em! Look at ’em!” cried Dennis 
enthusiastically. “They’ve all come out to 
meet us.” 

“Not that, I guess,” laughed George. 
“Still they look fine, don’t they?” 

A baggage train brought up the rear of the 
193 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


procession, tugging horses straining in their 
harness. The army was a motley one, some on 
foot, some on horseback, but it looked fine to 
the four scouts. 

see Giniral Harrison!^’ exclaimed Dennis 
suddenly. 

‘‘And there’s Major White riding beside 
him,” added Alec. 

“Where do you suppose they’re bound?” 
queried George eagerly. The sight of all those 
soldiers made the shivers run up and down his 
spine. 

“To Tippecanoe probably,” answered 
Pierre. 

“Is that where Tecumseh is?” 

“Not ze last time I know. He was going 
among ze different tribes to stir zem up an’ 
make zem join heem.” 

“That’s true,” exclaimed George. “I re- 
member that now. It is Tecumseh ’s brother 
who is at Tippecanoe, isn’t it?” 

“Yis, an’ he’s worse than Taycumseh,” said 
Dennis. “He’s wan o’ thim crazy midicine 
min. ’ ’ 

“What’s his name?” 

“Ellskwatawa,” announced Alec instantly. 

194 


AN ADVENTUEE 


you suppose he’s been making trouble 
and that Governor Harrison is going after him 
nowT’ queried George. 

do not know,” said Pierre. 

‘‘Suppose we join the army,” suggested 
Alec. “As long as we are enlisted it seems to 
me that is where we belong and if we stand 
here looking at them all day we may get left 
behind. ’ ’ 

“True, but sarcastic,” said Dennis. 

“Come on,” urged George, stepping out 
from the woods. “Let’s go on down and re- 
port and then we can go where we belong.” 

“How many men do you think there are 
there?” mused Alec as the four scouts came 
out into the open and started across the plain. 

“About eight or nine hundred I should say,” 
said George. 

“I think so,” agreed Pierre. 

“Enough to make ol’ Eelwater, or whativir 
his name is, good and worried f’r sure,” 
chuckled Dennis. “Look, they see us!” 

A squad of horsemen detached themselves 
from the main body and came galloping rapidly 
towards the four scouts. Dennis waved his 
hat enthusiastically at the approaching cav- 
195 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


alrymen, and they acknowledged his greeting 
with a shout. Presently the four scouts were 
standing in the center of a circle formed by the 
horses, and were talking eagerly to the men. 

‘^Well, Pierre,’^ exclaimed one of them. 
^^We’re glad to see you back. We had begun 
to fear that something had happened to you.’^ 

‘‘Well, plenty of things happened all right, 
said Alec briskly. “You know though that it 
takes a pretty good Indian to get the best of 
Pierre. ’ ’ 

“You’re right there,” agreed the man, 
Walter Hutton by name. “Pierre has been in 
the business entirely too long.” 

“Where is the army bound?” inquired 
George. 

“Tippecanoe, I think,” answered another of 
the horsemen named Hugh McLeod, a doughty 
Scotchman. “That brother of Tecumseh’s, the 
Prophet, has been making things lively around 
here lately.” 

“An’ it’s our business t’ make him stop, I 
suppose,” said Dennis. 

“If we can,” smiled McLeod. “He’s a 
pretty crafty old fox, though.” 

“Lave him to us,” cried Dennis. “We’ll fix 
196 


AN ADVENTURE 


him/’ He was worked up to a high pitch of 
enthusiasm by the sight of the army and felt 
that no one in the world could stand against 
them now. 

^‘How many men are zere!” asked Pierre. 

‘‘About nine hundred, I think,” replied 
Walter Hutton. “They look a little mixed 
from here, some regulars, some volunteers, 
some on foot, and some on horseback, hut I’ll 
guarantee that they’re all right.” 

“And any army can use a scout like you,” 
observed another of the men to Pierre. 

“Well, let’s join them,” exclaimed Alec 
eagerly. “I’m anxious to see all those men 
again. ’ ’ 

The vanguard of the army had now passed 
the spot where the little party of soldiers was 
standing. As they approached, a great shout 
of welcome went up from the marching men, 
for Pierre was known the length and breadth 
of the border, and admired and respected 
wherever he was known. 

Soon the four scouts fell in with the troops, 
and, guns over their shoulders, plodded along 
with the others. Innumerable questions were 
asked and had to he answered, for much had 
197 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


happened in the few days since they had started 
away from Vincennes. 

‘‘Yes/’ said a rawboned young backwoods- 
man named Howard Scott, who was marching 
by the side of George, “the Prophet is certainly 
stirring things up along the border these 
days.” 

“What’s he been doing particularly?” asked 
George. 

“Do you want to know what he did to me?” 

“I do,” replied George, not having the 
slightest notion of what was to come. 

“Well,” said Howard. “I’ll tell you what 
happened to my family. About two weeks ago 
we were living up here on the Wabash about 
as peaceful as any one could live. We had a 
snug log house and a few acres of land and we 
thought we were well off. There was my 
father and mother, two sisters, and a brother; 
I was the oldest child. 

“One day one of my sisters, who was about 
fifteen, came running into the house and said 
she had seen two Indians skulking in the woods 
a little distance away. My father was not 
particularly alarmed by this news for he had 
never had any trouble with the Indians and had 
198 


AN ADVENTURE 


the others. Mother wouldnT hear of such a 
thing, however. Her idea was that if we went 
separately and in ditferent directions some of 
us were pretty near sure to escape while if we 
kept together we might be discovered and then 
all of us would be killed.’^ 

‘‘That sounds like good reasoninV’ re- 
marked Dennis. 

“Well, as soon as it was dark we started 
out,’’ Howard went on. “We crept out of the 
door and all starting in ditferent directions we 
stole across the clearing. I was alone, and as 
I saw no Indians and heard no sound at all, I 
began to think they might have gone away. 
How foolish I was. Suddenly I heard the war 
whoop and then a scream; I recognized my 
sister ’s voice and I can tell you the blood nearly 
froze in my veins. 

“I wanted to go right back, but we had all 
promised mother to keep on going no matter 
what happened. If any of us were saved we 
would need the help of the others, and so with 
my heart as heavy as lead I kept going. I 
heard no more yells and hoped that the others 
had escaped. I saw no Indians and early the 
next morning arrived at our friend’s home.” 

201 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘How about the others T’ asked George 
eagerly. 

“They never' came. The next day we 
organized a party of settlers and started back 
for our clearing. The house was burned to the 
ground, and after a search through the sur- 
rounding woods we found them all; mother, 
brother, father and two sisters all murdered by 
those red fiends. Do you wonder that I en- 
listed and am eager to punish those who have 
ruined my home?” 

“I wouldn’t blame ye no matter what ye 
did,” said Dennis fiercely. 

A bugle sounded at that moment and the long 
procession instantly halted. 

“Eet iss for dinner,” announced Pierre. 
“Now iss ze time for us to go an’ report to 
Major White.” 


CHAPTER XIX 

ON THE MAKCH 

M ajor white was pleased with the re- 
port the four scouts had to give and con- 
gratulated them on their fortunate escape from 
the cave. 

understood that there were large bands 
of Indians in this section of the country,’’ he 
said, ‘‘and I rather feared for your safety. I 
thought that Pierre would be a hard man to 
trap, though.” 

The stalwart Frenchman blushed at this 
praise and was plainly uncomfortable. As a 
rule the men who do things have no time to 
listen to compliments and Pierre was embar- 
rassed. 

Major White noticed this and laughed. 
“Don’t let it worry you, Pierre,” he said. 
“We all know what you are and we shan’t keep 
reminding you of it if you don’t want us to.” 

He dismissed the four scouts with a nod of 
his head and they returned to their company 
203 ' 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


and lost no time in joining their comrades who 
were busily engaged in eating their dinners. 
Dennis especially seemed to enjoy the repast, 
and while he ate he kept up a running fire of 
conversation with every one around him. His 
quick wit and good nature made him a strong 
favorite with the men, and while many of them 
tried a contest of words with him they were all 
speedily worsted and gave up laughingly. 

After dinner the march was resumed. No 
attempt was made at rapid progress and the 
army proceeded in a leisurely fashion. Gen- 
eral Harrison purposely went slowly, for it was 
not his desire to have war and he kept hoping 
against hope that the Indians would accede to 
his demands, when once they saw that the 
Americans were in earnest. 

‘‘Just what are his demands T’ George asked 
one of the members of his company, a middle 
aged frontiersman named Crocker. He was 
known as “Crocker with the scar,” because of 
a long mark across one cheek where a cornered 
wild cat had clawed him many years before. 

“The Indians have been raiding the settle- 
ments and killing people right and left, you 
know that, of course, ’ ^ said Crocker. 

204 


ON THE MAECH 


do,’^ admitted George. 

^‘Well, things have come to a crisis, and the 
militia has been called out.’’ 

know that,’’ said George. ‘‘What I want 
to know is what the demands are that General 
Harrison has made on the Prophet.” 

“He demands that he give np the murder- 
ers and return the stolen horses he has with 
him.” 

“The Prophet has been stealing horses too, 
has he?” 

“He certainly has.” 

“What chance is there of his agreeing to do 
as we want?” 

“No chance at all, to my way of thinking,” 
said Crocker firmly. 

“In that case what happens?” 

“You know as well as I do.” 

“War?” 

“That’s it, and that’s what we’re here for 
now. ’ ’ 

“You think there’s no other way out of it, 
then?” 

“We’ll have to fight, I believe,” exclaimed 
Crocker. “You can’t argue with a crazy man 
like this Prophet. There’s only one way you 
205 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


can treat a fellow like that and that is to give 
him a good licking.’^ 

‘‘Well, I guess we can do it all right,’’ 
said George, glancing around at the long 
lines of men stretching far out in both direc- 
tions. 

“Too bad Tecumseh isn’t here,” said 
Crocker. “He’s got good brains anyway and 
you can at least reason with him. ’ ’ 

“Why, I thought Tecumseh was traveling 
around trying to stir up the tribes against us,” 
exclaimed George. “That doesn’t sound very 
much as if he would do much for us.” 

“I know,” said Crocker, “but I don’t believe 
he would stand for all this murdering and 
pillaging just the same. He wants to form a 
great confederacy of tribes to keep the white 
men out, and he’d fight too, but I think he’d 
fight fair.” 

“Perhaps he’ll join the Prophet before we 
get to Tippecanoe.” 

“Maybe he will. Last I heard of him though 
he was down south among the Creeks and 
Choctaws and Chickasaws. He’s a great ora- 
tor and he’ll probably get a lot of them to join 
him.” 


206 


ON THE MAECH 


Looks like busy times ahead on the border,’^ 
smiled George grimly. 

^‘DonT you worry about that, my boy,’’ ex- 
claimed Crocker. ‘^You’ll find all you want 
to do around here in the next year or so all 
right. ’ ’ 

For several days the march was continued 
up the Wabash, and then a halt was called. A 
more or less permanent camp was pitched and 
from all indications the army was settling down 
for a stay of some duration. 

‘^What happens now?” demanded Dennis as 
he watched these preparations. 

‘Ht looks as though we were goin’ to stay 
for a while,” said Alec. 

‘‘Sortinly it does,” agreed Dennis. 
don’t, see th’ p’int.” 

‘‘Well I tell you what you do,” exclaimed 
Alec sarcastically. “You just go to General 
Harrison and tell him you don’t like what he’s 
doing and he’ll probably change his plans to 
suit you.” 

Dennis looked at Alec with a hurt expres- 
sion in his eyes. “Why are ye so nasty 
to me lately?” he inquired. “It does ye no 
good.” 


207 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


know it doesn’t,” exclaimed Alec quickly, 
have gotten into the habit I guess. I don’t 
mean anything by it though.” 

know ye don’t,” said Dennis, ‘‘so why 
don’t ye stop?” 

“I’ll try,” said Alec earnestly. “I wish 
you’d help me too.” 

“I sortinly will,” smiled Dennis. “Iviry 
time ye git that way ag’in I’ll whistle free times 
and thin ye can call a halt. ’ ’ 

“A good scheme,” cried Alec. They shook 
hands and strolled away arm in arm. The 
army was encamped on the banks of the Wabash 
and Alec and Dennis made their way down to 
the water and sat down under a tree on the 
shore. 

“To answer your original question I believe 
that we have halted here because General Har- 
rison is going to send messengers to confer with 
the Prophet,” said Alec, when they were com- 
fortably seated. 

“An’ th’ Prophet will stick a knife in thim 
an’ sind thim back f us no doubt,” said Dennis. 
“A fine fellow he is!” 

“He needs to be taught some manners just 
as I do,” said Alec. 


208 


ON THE MARCH 


‘‘DonT ye belave laughed Dennis. 

^^Look, here comes Pierre and George. 

‘‘What^s the latest news, Pierre P’ called 
Alec as their two friends drew near. 

^ ^ Ze general, he send messengers to treat wiz 
ze Prophet,’’ said Pierre. 

^‘Are you one of them?” 

^‘No. Only ze friendly Indians go.” 

‘^Some Delawares and Miamis,” explained 
George. 

‘‘Can ye trust thim?” demanded Dennis. 

“Yes,” said Pierre. “Zey are ver’ re- 
liable.” 

“An’ if they make peace f’r us th’ war will 
be over, and we’ll have nothin’ t’ do but go 
home ag’in, I suppose.” 

“Wouldn’t you rather do that than get killed 
by Indians?” laughed George. 

“I want t’ git in a fight!” cried Dennis. “I 
say that so long as we must smash thim some- 
time, why not do it now an’ be done?” 

“Zat iss right,” said Pierre heartily. “Eet 
mus’ be done sometime.” 

“An’ we’re th’ byes t’ do it!” cried Dennis 
slapping Alec so vigorously upon his back that 
he howled with pain. 

209 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘We stay here some days,’’ said Pierre. 

“Yes, and I’m on duty as sentinel tonight,” 
said George. 

“Is that so?” exclaimed Dennis. “Well I 
hope ye keep awake.” 

“Don’t worry about that,” said George con- 
fidently. “And all the time I’m keeping watch 
I suppose you’ll be snoring away in your 
blankets for all you’re worth.” 

“I will,” said Dennis. “That’s why I hope 
ye kape awake f’r thin I can sleep in peace.” 

“I’ve got to watch the horses,” said George. 

“A fine job that!” exclaimed Dennis. 
“Thank hivin, ’tis not me what has t’ guard 
thiml” 

“I guess no one would be so foolish as to 
ask you to do a thing like that,” laughed 
Alec. “You’re no horseman, you know, Den- 
nis.” 

“Do I know it? Of course I know it, an’ 
I ’m not wan bit sorry. ’ ’ 

“I’d rather ride horseback than do anything 
I know of almost,” said George. 

“Because yer an expert,” snorted Dennis. 
“Why shouldn’t ye?” 

“I won’t argue with you,” laughed George. 

210 


ON THE MAECH 


any rate I must be going now. It’ll soon 
be dark and I must report for duty.” 

‘‘Wbat time do you go on?” asked Alec. 

‘‘Not till midnight, but I have to report 
now. ’ ’ 

“Good luck to ye!” called Dennis, as George 
walked away. The young sentinel turned and 
waved his hand in acknowledgment of the 
words, and soon disappeared over the rising 
ground between the river and the camp. 

He presented himself before the officer of the 
guard and was assigned a place in which he 
might sleep until it should be his turn to go on 
duty. Immediately after supper George turned 
in and was asleep almost instantly. It was 
never his custom to stay up late in the evening, 
but that night he rolled himself in his blankets 
much earlier than usual, knowing that when he 
was on sentry duty his wits would be all the 
sharper for the sleep. 

The noises of the camp did not disturb his 
slumbers and he lay like a log until midnight 
when he was shaken gently and told to report. 
George was on his feet and wide awake almost 
at once. He was provided with a horse and 
quickly mounting he rode off towards the place 
211 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


where the horses were kept. They were not 
tethered, hut had several mounted guards such 
as George, whose duty it was to prevent the 
animals from wandering away from the herd, 
and to keep all of them near the camp. The 
guards were also to shield them against pos- 
sible surprise attacks, though it was not con- 
sidered probable that hostile Indians would dare 
approach so large an encampment. 

There was no moon as George took his place 
and began to ride slowly up and down on one 
side of the drove of horses. There were sev- 
eral hundred of them gathered there, making a 
very imposing array in the faint starlight. 
Now and then a horse whinnied, and another 
would snort or blow the air from his nostrils. 
Even the faint noise of their hoofs could be 
heard as they wandered along in search of pas- 
ture. 

Their backs showed different colors, and 
George pictured them in his mind as repre- 
senting the waves of some shadowy sea. Now 
and again he met one of the other guards and 
exchanged a few words with him. There was 
not much time for conversation, however, as 
some adventurous animal was constantly try- 
212 


ON THE MAECH 


ing to stray away from the others, and had to 
be turned back. Now and again the whole drove 
had to be persuaded to change its course and 
return nearer to camp. 

George enjoyed the work, however. He 
liked the sense of responsibility and the loneli- 
ness of the night appealed to him. He began 
to imagine that he was a great rancher and 
that all of these horses belonged to him. How 
fine that would be, he thought. There must be 
many splendid horses in the number, and how 
jealous his friends would be of him. He pic- 
tured himself as being very generous, and sur- 
prising some friend with the gift of a mount. 
He laughed silently as he pictured the astonish- 
ment and pleasure on the friend’s face when 
he heard of the unexpected present. 

The first faint streaks of dawn were begin- 
ning to creep across the sky. There was more 
of a suggestion of light than actual light it- 
self. 

George did not notice, however. He was too 
busy with his thoughts. He was suddenly 
roused from his dreams, however, and most un- 
expectedly. 

All at once blood-curdling yells seemed to is- 
213 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


sue from all parts of the herd. Guns were 
fired and instantly all was confusion. The 
frightened horses reared and plunged, the shots 
and yells continued and it seemed as if the en- 
tire drove might stampede. 


CHAPTEE XX 


PUESUIT 

G EOEGE was unable to see who it was that 
was stirring up the horses. It was still 
too dark to distinguish objects clearly and it 
was almost impossible to tell from what par- 
ticular spot among the mass of animals the 
sounds were issuing. As a matter of fact they 
seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. 

‘‘Indians of course,’^ muttered George. 
Doubtless they had stolen in among the horses 
he thought, and were now trying to stampede 
them and run them off. How to prevent this 
was the question to be decided. 

George and all the other guards rode madly 
up and down, striving desperately to prevent 
any of the horses from breaking away from the 
main body. The guards were not many, how- 
ever, and it was certain that unless help arrived 
immediately, the horses would be scattered far 
and wide, and then there was no telling how 
many would be lost, 

15 


215 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


No doubt the Indians bad wormed their way 
across the prairie and stolen in among the 
herd right under the very eyes of the guards. 
Then when the signal was given they had all 
commenced to shout and yell at the same time 
in an effort to demoralize the animals. That 
they were succeeding in their design was only 
too apparent from the actions of the frightened 
beasts. 

Despite the frantic efforts of the guards stray 
squads of horses got away from them now and 
then, and with ever-increasing frequency. The 
whole camp had been aroused by the commo- 
tion, however, and now men began to run out 
to help and try to prevent the stampede. Dar- 
ing riders they were the most of them, and did 
not hesitate to swing themselves onto the bare 
backs of the nearest horses and then lend their 
aid to the hard pressed guards. 

George recognized Pierre in the half-light. 
He saw the doughty Frenchman vault across 
the back of a big roan horse and clinging to its 
mane with one hand start in pursuit of a band 
of a half-dozen frightened animals galloping 
off across the prairie. 

Where were the Indians who had started the 
216 


PUESUIT 


trouble, George wondered. Thus far he had 
seen none of them emerge from the tangle of 
plunging horses and he knew that they must do 
so soon if they wished to escape. He had been 
keeping a close watch, his rifle ready, for just 
that very thing. How many of them were there 
anyway? 

Suddenly he saw what he had been expecting. 
An Indian emerged, seemingly from among the 
hoofs of the terror-stricken drove, and spring- 
ing upon the back of a racing horse he locked 
both arms around its neck and a moment later 
was lost to sight in the darkness. It aU hap- 
pened so suddenly that George was almost 
stunned and too bewildered to act. Indeed be- 
fore he fully realized what was taking place the 
Indian was gone. 

It would not happen again though, he told 
himself. He would be ready the next time and 
he promised himself that the Indian should not 
escape so easily. His rifle in his hand and with 
eyes straining to see through the semi-dark- 
ness he waited. Surely there must be more to 
come. 

The whole plain was now a confused tangle 
of shouting men and plunging horses. The sol- 
217 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


diers were running in all directions, frantically 
waving their arms and trying to head otf horses 
that showed a tendency to forsake the main 
body. The yells of the Indians still resounded, 
showing that some of them at least were still 
about. 

Suddenly another man shot out from under 
the mass of hoofs and swinging astride of a 
near-by horse strove to dash away as the first 
one had done. 

‘‘Not this time,’’ muttered George doggedly, 
and clapping spurs to his horse he sped for- 
ward. The Indian, for Indian he felt sure the 
man was, was now mounted and was slapping 
his horse vigorously with his open hand while 
he bent low over its back. He had turned the 
horse’s head and was just preparing to depart 
when George arrived upon the scene. 

He dared not shoot. A wild shot might hit 
one of his friends or kill some one of the horses. 
At any rate it was not necessary. He clubbed 
his rifle and riding alongside his adversary 
raised it aloft. One well-aimed blow would do 
as well as a bullet. 

Before he brought the butt of the gun down 
upon the man’s skull, however, a strange thing 
218 


PURSUIT 


happened. The man, sensing danger, looked 
up and to George’s amazement he saw that it 
was not an Indian at all that he was pursuing. 
It was a white man, and what was even more 
startling, it was some one that seemed to be 
very familiar. 

‘‘Look out, George,” said the man sharply. 
“Don’t strike. It’s me.” 

George hesitated and drew back for an in- 
stant. Before he could recover from his sur- 
prise the man had urged his horse forward 
and a moment later had vanished from sight 
in the midst of the swaying, heaving mass of 
horses and men. 

“Well — ” began George, half stunned with 
the unexpectedness of it all. He was suddenly 
interrupted, however. 

“Hello, George,” called a voice at his side. 
He turned to see Dennis. 

“Hello, Dennis,” he shouted. “Get a horse 
and come with me, quick.” 

“Git a horse, nothin’!” retorted the young 
Irishman. “Nivir ag’in.” 

•“But I need help.” 

“I’ll run beside ye. Lemme git hold o’ yer 
saddle.” 


219 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Don’t get run over,” warned George. 
“This is a dangerous place to be on foot.” 

“Leave that V me.” 

“Guess who I just saw,” exclaimed George. 

“Who?” 

“Burch.” 

“Ye didn’t! Where was he?” 

“Right here.” 

“I didn’t know he was with th’ army.” 

“Nor 1. I don’t think he is either.” 

“Thin, what was he doin’ here?” 

“That’s what I’d like to know. It looks to 
me as if he came right out from the middle of 
the drove and tried to run away.” 

“Ye mean that — ” 

“I’m not sure what I mean,” exclaimed 
George. “Where’s Pierre?” 

“I haven’t seen him.” 

“Well, we’d better find him,” urged George. 
“And we’d better see if we can’t do something 
around here too.” 

The sun now was above the horizon and its 
rays shone on a very strange sight. The 
prairie was dotted with men and horses scat- 
tered in all directions. Here and there in the 
distance a band of men could be seen in pur- 
220 


PUESUIT 


suit of some fleeing Indian. Two of the red 
men had been killed as they attempted to escape 
and one had been captured. How big a hand 
there had been at the start it was impossible 
to estimate. At any rate, many of them ap- 
peared to have made good their escape. 

^‘Well, they’ve certainly made trouble for us 
this time,” exclaimed Alec. 

‘ ‘ I should say so, ” agreed George. ‘ ‘ What ’ll 
the army do without horses?” 

‘<F’r my part I shall do very well,” said 
Dennis. 

‘^But we must have horses,” George pro- 
tested. 

^‘Well, I guess we’ve got most of them,” said 
Alec. ‘‘They didn’t get away with many and 
the rest only need to be rounded up.” 

‘ ‘ S ’pose the rid divils take it into their hides 
t’ attack th’ army now,” Dennis suggested. 
“That would stir things up all right.” 

“I should say so,” exclaimed George. 
“With our men scattered all over the plain they 
could certainly do a lot of damage.” 

“Don’t worry about that,” said Alec confi- 
dently. ‘ ‘ General Harrison knows his business 
all right ; he ’s got a body of nearly three hun- 
221 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 

dred men in camp to guard against just such a 
thing. ’ ’ 

guess you’re right, Alec,’’ said George. 
^‘We needn’t worry about General Harrison’s 
knowing what to do.” 

‘ ^ Tell him who ye saw, ’ ’ said Dennis. 

‘‘That’s right,” exclaimed George. “Who 
do you think I saw just now, Alec?” 

“I’ve no idea. Tecumseh?” 

“No,” laughed George, “nor the Prophet 
neither. ’ ’ 

“Who was it?” 

“Burch.” 

“You don’t say so!” said Alec in surprise. 
“What was he doing?” 

“That’s what we’d like to know,” and he 
proceeded to tell of his meeting with the man 
of mystery. 

“That’s certainly strange,” mused Alec when 
the story had been told. “Perhaps he told the 
truth when we met him the other day after 
all.” 

“You mean that General Harrison really had 
sent him on some mission, and that now he is 
hack?” 

“I say it’s possible.” 

222 


PUESUIT 


^‘Yes,” agreed George, possible all 

right, but I^d like to know what he was doing 
in the middle of all those horses/’ 

^^He may not have been there,” suggested 
Alec. ‘^You know the light was bad and you 
may have been deceived.” 

^^Yes,” George admitted, ‘‘there’s a chance 
of that of course, but I don’t think so,” and he 
shook his head sagely. 

“I’d like t’ ask the giniral if he ivir sint 
Burch on that mission,” said Dennis. 
“ ’T would be int’ristin’ t’ know.” 

“We’ll ask Major White sometime,” said 
George. 

“You also know,” said Alec, “that in an 
army of nine hundred men it is very possible 
not to know who all of them are.” 

“Yes,” said George, “that’s true. Still 
there’s something funny about that man and 
I’d like to know what is at the bottom of it.” 

“Well, let’s not tell Pierre right away,” sug- 
gested Alec. “It’ll only get him excited and 
will do no good.” 

It was so agreed and the three volunteers 
turned their attention to the task of rounding 
up the horses. It was not an easy undertaking, 
223 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


however, and the work of identifying individual 
mounts after they were caught was also most 
difficult. It was late in the afternoon before 
the last squads reported, and upon count it was 
found that only fifteen horses were missing, 
which was not considered bad at all under the 
circumstances. 

General Harrison’s army had by no means 
finished with the Indians, however. 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE ADVANCE CONTINUES 

S EVERAL days later the messengers, whom 
General Harrison had sent to treat with 
the Prophet, returned. Their report was 
awaited eagerly by the army and there was 
much speculation concerning it. Opinions in 
camp varied greatly ; some felt that the Prophet 
would be frightened by the size of the army and 
give in ; others were equally positive that noth- 
ing of the sort would happen. 

The truth came out shortly. Alec, who was 
always prying into everything, was the first of 
the four friends to get the details. 

‘^This is what happened,’’ he exclaimed im- 
portantly. Dennis, George and Pierre were 
seated together on the ground in front of their 
tent as he approached. Alec paused and waited 
expectantly for some one of his friends to urge 
him on. 

‘‘Go on an’ say it!” said Dennis. “Don’t 
keep us in suspinse.” 


225 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^Well, the Prophet was not very glad to see 
our messengers,’’ Alec went on, rather meekly 
after this cool reception. 

‘ ^ Did ye think he would be ? ” demanded Den- 
nis. 

'‘Let him tell his story, Dennis,” urged 
George. 

"Every one in the Prophet’s camp was hos- 
tile to them,” said Alec. "They were treated 
haughtily and insolently.” 

"How about the demands they made?” in- 
quired George. 

"Eejected,” exclaimed Alec. "Eejected ab- 
solutely. ’ ’ 

" By ze council as well as ze Prophet ? ’ ’ asked 
Pierre. 

"Everybody. Neither the Prophet, nor any 
of his band seemed to want to do the slightest 
thing to keep peace and prevent war.” 

"Then we’ll surely have war I s’pose,” said 
Dennis, not without a gleam in his eye. He 
liked fighting well enough to cause him to look 
forward eagerly to a battle. 

"I fear so,” mused Pierre. "Eet looks ver’ 
bad.” 

"It certainly does,” exclaimed George. "I 
* 226 


THE ADVANCE CONTINUES 


guess we wouldn’t have seen Indians riding 
around in war paint, and they wouldn’t be raid- 
ing the settlements and trying to drive off our 
horses if they meant peace.” 

At this moment a man came riding madly into 
camp. His horse was wet and flecked with 
foam, showing how hard he had ridden. He 
drew rein in the center of the camp and was 
immediately surrounded by a curious throng. 

‘‘What’s wrong, Foster!” inquired one of 
the soldiers who recognized the tired horseman. 
“What’s the trouble!” 

“Indians,” panted Poster. 

“Where, where!” demanded a hundred 
voices at once. 

Foster swung halfway around in his saddle 
and pointed in the direction whence he had just 
come. “Back there,” he said, still breathing 
hard. “A band of about fifty chased me, and 
if I hadn’t had a fair start and a good horse I 
wouldn’t be here now.” He gazed ruefully at 
his left wrist which oozed blood, and hung 
limp. 

“You’re wounded!” exclaimed the soldier 
who had first spoken. “Get down off your 
horse and let us attend to you.” 

227 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


A score of willing hands assisted him and a 
moment later he stood leaning on one of his 
comrades, while another led his horse away to 
attend to its needs. 

‘H^d been back to Vincennes,’’ said Foster, 
“and was returning. Five miles or so back 
here I suddenly ran into the Indians. They 
saw me the same instant that I did them, and I 
can tell you they wasted no time in getting after 
me either. I thought surely it was all up with 
me.” 

“How near to camp did they follow youT’ 
asked some one. 

“Well, they were almost in sight of it.” 

“How did you get your wound?” 

“One of the Indians who had a hay pony 
gained on me, and at one time was only a hun- 
dred yards or so behind. He took a shot at 
me and this is what he .did.” Foster held up 
his wrist for the crowd to see. 

“This is getting serious,” muttered Alec. 
He and his three friends had joined the throng 
gathered around Foster. 

“Ye’re quick, Alec,” said Dennis, at the same 
time nudging George. 

“What do you mean?” demanded Alec, not 
228 


THE ADVANCE CONTINUES 


knowing quite what the young Irishman’s words 
and tone signified. 

mean ye’re quick t’ catch on t’ things,” 
explained Dennis seriously. ‘‘Th’ minute ye 
heard about whot happened t’ Foster ye knew 
that things was serious. No wan had t’ tell ye 
at all.” 

‘‘Are you trying to tease me?” demanded 
Alec, his ire threatening to rise. “I advise you 
not to try it. At any rate this is no time for 
fooling. I said things are serious, and they 
are.” 

“Exactly what I said,” agreed Dennis, striv- 
ing desperately to look solemn. “All I said 
was that you was one o’ th’ first t’ appreciate 
it.” 

Alec looked suspiciously at Dennis, but as he 
saw no trace of laughter in the young Irish- 
man’s face, he began to think that his remarks 
were really serious. Alec was conceited 
and like all conceited people could easily be 
made to believe extravagant things about him- 
self. 

“Let’s go back to the tent,” urged George 
suddenly. He feared that he would laugh and 
spoil the whole thing unless he got away soon. 
229 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


He had seen Dennis flatter Alec many times be- 
fore and never did the trapper fail to succumb 
to the guile of the mischievous young Irish- 
man. 

think zat ze army will soon move,” pre- 
dicted Pierre when they were back at the tent. 

‘‘You think wefll march on Tippecanoe!” 
asked George. 

“I think we must. If ze Indians are still hos- 
tile we must go and show zem zat we mean busi- 
ness.” 

“You’re dead right, Pierre,” exclaimed Alec. 
“Nothing but an immediate advance will bring 
matters to a crisis. It must be done.” 

“An’ whin they see our army they’ll give in, 
ye think!” said Dennis. 

“Maybe,” said Alec, “but I doubt it. I un- 
derstand that adventurous young braves from 
all this part of the country are flocking to Tip- 
pecanoe. They think there’s a fine chance of 
a fight and some scalps and they’re anxious to 
make a try of it.” 

“Zen zat iss all ze more reason why we should 
go after zem at once,” insisted Pierre. 

“I think I’ll go and hang around headquar- 
ters and see if I can’t hear some gossip,” ex- 
230 


THE ADVANCE CONTINUES 


claimed George, springing to his feet. ^‘Any 
one want to come ? ’ ’ 

Apparently no one did, so George departed 
alone. He was swinging along one of the camp 
streets, revolving the events of the day in his 
mind when a strange and most unexpected thing 
happened. 

He turned the corner of one of the tents and 
ran squarely into the arms of a man. Both 
of them were startled and drew back with words 
of apology. Eegaining his wits George was 
astounded to find himself looking squarely into 
the eyes of the mysterious Burch. 


16 


CHAPTEE XXII 


UP THE KIVER 

W ell;, what are you doing hereT’ de- 
manded George in surprise. 

‘‘What are you doing here yourself re- 
torted Burch roughly. 

“I’m in the army.” 

“You’re not the only one in it, you know.” 
“Did you enlist?” 

“When I met you and your friends back there 
in the valley I told you I was on a mission for 
General Harrison, didn’t If” demanded Burch. 
“You did.” 

“Well, for some reason you didn’t seem to 
believe me. Not that I care what you think, 
and besides I’m in a hurry.” He brushed past 
George as he spoke and quickly disappeared be- 
hind one of the tents. 

For some moments the young soldier stood 
still, too amazed to do anything. Then when he 
had recovered his wits he turned and hurried 
back to his tent, all thought of headquarters 
232 


UP THE EIVER 


gone from his mind. His one idea was to tell 
his three comrades about his meeting. 

‘Ht didn’t take ye long t’ find out th’ gos- 
sip,” remarked Dennis as George approached. 

‘‘Guess who I saw just now,” exclaimed 
George excitedly. 

“Burch,” said Alec promptly. 

“Why, did you see him too!” demanded 
George in surprise. 

“No, I just guessed.” 

“Well that’s the man I saw all right.” 

‘ ‘ Zat snake ! ’ ’ snarled Pierre. ‘ ‘ What iss he 
doing here!” 

“He didn’t tell me,” said George, “and be- 
fore I could ask him he was gone. He hinted, 
though, that he was in the army just as we 
are.” 

“I wouldn’t be surprised t’ see that fellow 
anywhere at all,” remarked Dennis. “He’s 
always turnin’ up whin ye least expict it.” 

“Did he say anything about what kind of a 
trip he had up that valley after we stopped 
him the other day!” inquired Alec. 

“No. All he said about that was that ap- 
parently we hadn’t believed him when he said 
he was on an errand for General Harrison.” 

233 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Zat iss true enough,’^ muttered Pierre. 

‘‘Did ye ask him about bein’ in amongst thim 
horses the other night?” asked Dennis. 

“I didn’t have a chance. He hurried right 
away from me.” 

“Are ye sure ’twas him ye saw?” 

“Today?” 

“No. Th’ other night.” 

“I wouldn’t swear to it, but I’m almost posi- 
tive of it.” 

“ ’Tis quare,” mumbled Dennis. “There 
goes Major White, Alec; why don’t ye run an’ 
ask him about this man Burch?” 

“I will,” exclaimed Alec, and springing 
quickly to his feet he hurried off to intercept 
the officer who was going past. A moment later 
the two men were in earnest conversation, while 
Alec’s three companions sat and curiously 
watched them. 

Alec soon returned to the tent and was at 
once plied with questions. 

“The major says he is quite sure that Burch 
never went on any mission for General Har- 
rison,” said Alec. 

“Major White knows Burch all right, does 
he?” asked George. 


234 


UP THE EIVEE 


‘‘Yes, he said he remembered him very well 
at Vincennes/’ 

“When did he enlist!” 

“Major White doesn’t think he ever did.” 

“What’s that!” cried George. “Then what 
is he doing here, and why did he practically tell 
me that he had enlisted!” 

“You’ll have to ask Burch that,” said Alec. 
“I can’t answer it.” 

“I do not believe zat you will have ze chance 
to ask heem,” said Pierre quickly. 

“Why not!” demanded Alec. 

“I do not think zat Burch iss here.” 

“What do you mean! Do you think he has 
left camp!” 

“I do.” 

“What makes you think that!” 

“Because I — ” 

The sound of a bugle interrupted whatever 
it was that Pierre was starting to say. 

“Hear that!” cried Alec as the notes died 
away. “You know what that means, don’t 
you!” 

“That we strike camp and march on up the 
Wabash, I suppose,” said George. “Is that 
what you think!” 


235 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


is, and I believe we’ll leave at once.” 

His surmise proved to be correct, for orders 
were soon issued to break camp and prepare 
to move. Instantly all was bustle and hurry. 
Men ran hither and thither loading tents and 
supplies on wagons, saddling horses, and in 
every way making ready for a speedy de- 
parture. 

In a remarkably short time the army was in 
line, ready to move. The order was given and 
the advance guard, consisting of cavalry, 
trotted out of camp. It was their function to 
form a screen in front of the main body and re- 
port any hostile bands of Indians which might 
be discovered. Also it was their duty to shield 
the army from surprise attacks. 

The rest of the troops followed close behind ; 
then came the supply wagons and then the rear 
guard to protect the provisions. There was a 
great snapping of whips, shouting of orders and 
noise. A cheer was given by a few young vol- 
unteers, enthusiastic at the prospect of war. 

‘^Zey don’t know what eet means,” re- 
marked Pierre grimly. 

guess they won’t be cheerin’ a few days 
from now,” said Dennis. 

236 


UP THE EIVER 


Which route to Tippecanoe do you suppose 
we’ll take, Pierre U’ asked Alec. ‘^Will we 
stay on this bank or cross to the north side of 
the Wabash f” 

do not know.” 

Which do you think is better?” 

‘‘Eet iss wooded on zis bank, and prairies 
on ze ozzer.” 

“No ambuscades on the north bank then,” 
remarked George. 

“True,” admitted Pierre. “Eet iss more 
direct zis way, however.” 

“But Tippecanoe is across the river from 
here, isn’t it?” 

“Oh yes. We must cross ze river some- 
time. ’ ’ 

“Well, I predict we go through the woods on 
this side,” said Alec. 

“An’ I says we take th’ other,” exclaimed 
Dennis promptly. 

‘ ‘ Of course you ’d say the opposite from what 
I did,” observed Alec. 

“Not at all, but ye f ergot wan thing whin ye 
were talkin’ about goin’ up on this side.” 

“What’s that?” 

“It’s all woods, isn’t it?” 

237 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^‘Well exclaimed Dennis triumphantly, 

‘‘how are ye goin’ t’ git th’ wagons through?’^ 

“Maybe there’s a wagon road,” said Alec. 

“How about that, Pierre?” demanded Den- 
nis. “Is there a road?” 

“I do not think so.” 

“Thin I guess I was right,” exclaimed Den- 
nis. “Ye’ll find that we soon cross th’ river 
an’ start over th’ prairies.” 

“Wait and see,” muttered Alec, though he 
was very much afraid that what Dennis had 
said was true. 

“It’s hilly on this side too,” said George. 
“Woods and hills make a hard combination 
through which to take wagons.” 

Greatly to their surprise, however. General 
Harrison had apparently selected the south 
bank as the better route to follow. The army 
was halted when it reached the wooded section 
and a party was sent ahead to reconnoiter. 

“I guess I was right after all, Dennis,” 
gloated Alec when he saw the preparations be- 
ing made. 

“Mebbe ye were,” admitted Dennis grudg- 
ingly. 


238 


UP THE EIVEE 


doubt of it/’ exclaimed Alec, as be 
walked away. 

Apparently Alec was correct, for when the 
reconnoitering party returned and reported, a 
large force of men was sent ahead with axes to 
clear a wagon road. The forest soon resounded 
with the crash of falling trees, and the men 
worked like beavers to clear a way. For sev- 
eral days the work continued, and every day 
the scouting parties reported constantly in- 
creasing numbers of Indians hovering around. 

can’t understand it,” murmured Dennis. 
‘‘We’re attractin’ ivery In jin in the country 
to this spot, and we’ll be ambushed sure.” 

“It does seem queer, I admit,” said George. 
“Still I always try to look at it this way: the 
general knows more about it than we do and 
as he is giving the orders and making the plans, 
all we need to worry about is the work of carry- 
ing them out.” 

“Yer right o’ course,” agreed Dennis. “I 
just wish I understood it.” 

The camp was full of men who were equally 
puzzled by General Harrison’s action and many 
began to murmur. It seemed strange to spend 
time and effort hewing a road through the for- 
239 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


est when across the river was open, level coun- 
try, easy to travel and with no danger of am- 
buscades. 

‘‘The Indians will enjoy it anyway, Pierre,” 
said George to the trapper. “They’re much 
better as fighters in the woods than they are on 
the prairies.” 

Pierre merely shook his head sorrowfully. 
The whole proceeding was a mystery to him 
and he was worried. But what could he do? 
He was only a private in the ranks and could 
not object to the general’s strategy. At the 
same time he felt that he knew far more wood- 
craft than all the officers put together and he 
was probably very nearly right. He hated to 
see them make foolish mistakes. 

The next morning the advance was resumed. 
The army got under way early and soon the 
advance guard had disappeared down the new 
road into the woods. The main body followed 
closely behind and in the first rank were the 
four volunteers. Most of the men were gloomy 
and little was said for the first few miles ; the 
men were nervous and fearful lest they were 
walking into a trap. 

At length they came to an opening in the 
240 


UP THE EIVER 


woods that ran down to the river. Across the 
clearing the woods began again. 

‘‘Look zere,’’ cried Pierre suddenly. “Look 
down zere by ze river.” 

“Why, whaUs going on!” exclaimed George 
in surprise. 

“Zie army iss beginning to cross ze river.” 


CHAPTEE XXIII 

THE GENERAL STRATEGY 

1 SEE it all now/’ exclaimed G-eorge. ‘‘I 
see just what General Harrison’s plans 
were. I guess he knows more than we do, all 
right, ’ ’ 

‘‘There was nivir any doubt o’ that,” agreed 
Dennis, “but what is his plan?” 

“Why, by pretending that we were going to 
advance along the south bank of the Wabash 
he could lead the Prophet into sending all his 
scouting parties and small bands on that side 
of the river. When the Indians saw us cutting 
wagon roads through the woods the Prophet un- 
doubtedly was sure that that was the place for 
him to mass his men. Now we have fooled 
them.” 

“Do ye think we’ll attack before they do?” 
“I can’t say. All I am doing is to guess any- 
way.” 

Soon they came to the river and the army be- 
gan to cross. It was hard work to transfer the 
242 


THE GENERAL’S STRATEGY 


supply wagons from one side to the other, but 
the task at length was accomplished and when 
all the men and horses were moved to the op- 
posite shore, the advance was continued. 

guess I was right whin I said we would 
use this side o’ th’ river, Alec,” Dennis re- 
minded his companion. 

“So was I right,” exclaimed Alec. “We 
traveled the other side for a while anyway.” 

“But—” 

“You were both right,” laughed George. 
“Let’s not start that argument again.” 

The discussion was dropped at George’s sug- 
gestion, and for the present Dennis and Alec 
stopped wrangling. The advance was more 
rapid now, for the country through which they 
were passing consisted of wide rolling prairies, 
and there were few situations favorable for am- 
buscades. Consequently the army could proceed 
rapidly. It was not necessary to reconnoiter 
all the ground ahead and then wait for the 
scouts’ report before proceeding. 

“Have you seen Burch again, George!” 
asked Alec. 

“Not a glimpse of him; I’ve been on the look- 
out for him too.” 


243 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Mebbe Pierre has seen him/^ suggested 
Dennis, in a low voice to George, and with a 
sly wink of his eye. 

‘‘What’s the use in getting him all stirred 
up!” exclaimed George. “You know how 
angry he gets when you mention Burch’s 
name. ’ ’ 

“I know it,” grinned Dennis. “That’s th’ 
fun.” 

“Better leave Pierre alone,” Alec cautioned. 
“He’s been sort of grouchy the last few days 
and I advise you not to stir him up.” 

“He’s thinkin’ o’ all the Injins he’s goin’ t’ 
fight,” said Dennis. 

“All of us had better think something about 
Indians,” retorted Alec. “We’re going to run 
into them before long sure and then we’ll have 
to look sharp.” 

“But how about Burch?” demanded George. 
“What’s happened to him?” 

“Do ye think I c’n kape me finger on a will- 
o’-th’-wisp like that?” exclaimed Dennis. “If 
ye do ye’re mistaken.” 

“I don’t expect you to keep your finger on 
him,” said George. “All I want to know is 
what his business around here is.” 

244 


THE GENERAL’S STRATEGY 


‘^Ask Pierre, I told ye.” 

‘‘I don’t dare.” 

‘‘Thin don’t ask me ayther.” 

Pondering over the strange activities of 
Arnold Burch, George relapsed into silence, 
and in silence he swung along with the rest of 
the soldiers marching for the defense of their 
homes and the peace of their country against 
the Indian prophet, Ellskwatawa. 

Suddenly a murmur arising in the front ranks 
ran through the army. George was aroused 
from his reveries and demanded to know what 
was happening. 

“Indians,” said a man in front curtly. 

“Where are they? What are they doing? 
Are they going to attack us? How many of 
them are there?” These and many more ques- 
tions were flung back and forth throughout the 
ranks by the excited men. 

“Halt!” came the order and the army came 
to a stop. 

“Now what happens, I wonder,” exclaimed 
Alec. 

“How many Indians are there ahead?” asked 
George. 

“A few dozen.” 


245 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘A scouting party, I suppose,’^ said 
George. 

A short time later the advance guard of the 
army moved forward apparently with the idea 
of opening a parley with the Indians. The rest 
of the army looked on intently and with deep 
interest. 

‘‘Our men are likely to be led into a trap,^' 
said George fearfully. 

“Not on the open prairie, I guess,’’ Alec ex- 
claimed. 

“It’s not all open,” said George. “Those 
patches of woods all around may be chock full 
of Indians.” 

“What if they are?” 

“If our men should follow after those few 
Indians they might be suddenly attacked on all 
sides.” 

“They’re wise enough not to do anything 
foolish, ’ ’ said Alec confidently. ‘ ‘ I guess we ’ve 
no cause to worry about them.” 

The emissaries did not get close enough to 
the Indians to converse with them, however. 
The red men withdrew at the approach of the 
soldiers, and with open manifestations of in- 
sult and defiance rode away. There was noth- 
246 


THE GENERAL’S STRATEGY 


ing left for the soldiers to do, but to return to 
the main body and make their report. 

‘^Eet looks bad,” said Pierre with a solemn 
shake of his head. 

‘‘I notice yer lookin’ t’ see if yer gun is all 
right,” observed Dennis. 

“We must be ready,” said Pierre. 

“Right you are, Pierre,” exclaimed Alec. 
“There’s going to be a battle here before 
long. ’ ’ 

“How far are we from Tippecanoe now?” 
asked George. 

“Five or six miles I should say, wouldn’t 
you, Pierre?” Alec replied. 

“I think so,” said the trapper. “And now 
we go nearer.” 

The order to advance was given and once 
more the army moved forward. The pace was 
slow and the utmost caution was used. Bands 
of savages appeared on all sides now, and the 
commanders were in constant fear of an at- 
tack. 

“Look at ’em!” exclaimed Dennis. “Iviry 
wan o’ thim on a horse too.” 

“I wish we were,” said George feelingly. 

“I don’t notice a silly remark like that,” said 
17 247 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Dennis. ‘‘Look at the crowd o’ thim, though.” 

“Yes, and zey will soon make trouble for us,” 
said Pierre grimly. “Zey are all in an ugly 
mood and zey mean to fight sure.” ' 

“Let ’em come,” cried Dennis. “We’ll fix 
the divils.” 

“Don’t be so sure of that, young man,” cau- 
tioned an old campaigner on the other side of 
Dennis. “These Indians are not fools.” 

“We must be pretty near to the Prophet’s 
town by now,” remarked George. They had 
been marching slowly along for the last two 
hours. 

“Tippecanoe iss about one mile ahead up 
zere,” said Pierre. 

“An’ it looks as if the whole town was out 
t’ mate us,” said Dennis. “Th’ whole prairie 
is covered with th’ rid fellers.” 

“Who are these men coming to meet us?” ex- 
claimed Alec suddenly. The four friends were 
up with the vanguard of the troops and con- 
sequently could see almost everything that was 
going on. 

“They must be three chiefs,” observed 
George, looking at the three figures riding up 
to meet the army. “They’ve certainly got on 
248 


THE GENEEAL’S STEATEGY 


all their best clothes anyway ; and look at their 
feathers. ’ ^ 

Three gorgeously arrayed braves came rid- 
ing across the prairie. A short distance away 
they halted and made it known that they de- 
sired a conference. While the army remained 
at rest General Harrison and two of his officers 
rode out to meet the Indians. 

A long parley was held and then the officers 
returned to their places, while the Indians with- 
drew in the direction whence they had come. 

wish we knew what was decided,’’ ex- 
claimed George eagerly. 

‘‘You’ll know soon enough,” said Alec. 
“Don’t worry.” 

“We’re going to camp here, I guess,” ob- 
served George suddenly. 

Sure enough, orders were issued to pitch 
camp and the work was begun at once. 

“A fine place we’ve got, sure,” remarked 
Dennis approvingly. “A little bit of an iliva- 
tion, with the prairie all around.” 

“Couldn’t be better,” agreed Alec. “The 
grass is certainly long around here though, 
isn’t itr’ 

“I should say it is,” exclaimed George. 

249 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^‘Why around that knoll where we^re going to 
camp you could almost stand up in it and be 
hidden.^’ 

Well, I donT want to hide,^^ said Alec. ‘‘I 
want to sleep. I have sentry duty to do to- 
night.’’ 

‘^And so have I,” agreed George. 

‘‘An’ me too,” joined in Dennis. 

“Not I,” said Pierre. 

“Ye’ll be well proticted with us three on 
dooty, Pierre, me bye,” cried Dennis. “Go t’ 
sleep an’ forget there’s such things as Injins.” 

“Never, I fear,” replied Pierre with a wry 
smile. 

“I want to know what was decided at that 
conference,” exclaimed George. Along with 
Dennis and Alec he was busily engaged in build- 
ing a fire. Dusk was rapidly approaching and 
here and there all over the camp the blaze of 
wood fires began to glimmer through the gather- 
ing dusk. 

“I can tell you,” said a voice close at hand 
and George turned to find himself once more 
face to face with Arnold Burch. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


ON WATCH 

W ELL f’r th’ love o^ hivin!” exclaimed 
Dennis, who had spied Burch almost as 
soon as had George. ‘‘Are ye a man or a 
ghost?’’ 

“I’m a man,” laughed Burch. George 
thought he had never seen him look so 
agreeable. 

“Where do ye disappear to, then?” de- 
manded Dennis. 

“We’ve been looking all over for you,” said 
George. “No one of us has seen you in the 
last few days and we wondered where you 
were. ’ ’ He watched Burch narrowly to see the 
eifect of his words. Burch made no sign, how- 
ever. He smiled pleasantly and seemed per- 
fectly at ease. 

“Another mission for General Harrison,” he 
said lightly. “It’s hard work to be the special 
envoy for the commander-in-chief.” 

251 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


“Is that what you’ve been doing?” chal- 
lenged Alec. 

“That’s what I said,” retorted Burch with 
a faint trace of a snarl in his voice, the first 
hint of his old rough manner. 

“How do ye git through all thim Injins so 
aisy?” asked Dennis. 

“Did I say it was easy?” 

“No,” Dennis admitted, “but it seems t’ be.” 

“Well, it isn’t,” exclaimed Burch, “and be- 
sides it seems to me you people are always ask- 
ing an awful lot of questions.” 

“You’re right,” answered Alec, “and the 
reason is that we are puzzled to know what to 
make of you. You’re a mystery to us.” 

“I’m glad I am,” retorted Burch, his pleas- 
ant manner vanishing. “I also hope that 
some day you may learn a few manners and 
not keep inquiring into the personal affairs of 
your superiors.” 

This remark took the three friends somewhat 
aback. The mention of the word “superiors” 
rather daunted them for a moment. Dennis, 
however, was not one to be frightened by an 
implied threat and he quickly regained his 
poise and nerve. 


252 


ON WATCH 


Pierre would like t’ ask ye some ques- 
tions too/^ he drawled. wisht he was 
here.’’ 

^^Well, if he wants to see me, tell him to come 
to headquarters,” exclaimed Burch, and he 
promptly strode away. 

‘‘He never told us what was decided at the 
conference anyway,” said George as he and 
his two friends watched Burch’s retreating 
figure. 

“He’s a quare wan all right,” said Dennis. 
“How do ye suppose he c’n be workin’ f’r 
Giniral Harrison an’ Major White not know 
it?” 

“I don’t see at all,” exclaimed George. 
“What do you think he meant when he was 
talking about being our superior?” 

“He’s a mystery to me,” observed Alec. 
“I suspect him too.” 

“What of?” 

“I don’t know. Of everything I guess; he 
comes and goes so strangely and he does things 
in such a strange way. There’s a sort of a veil 
of mystery about him all the time.” 

“I wish Pierre had been here.” 

“So do I. When he comes we might ask 
253 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


him to go to Headquarters and interview his 
friend Burch.’’ 

‘‘What excuse would he have?” asked 
George. 

“None.” 

At that moment Pierre approached the fire, 
which was now blazing merrily. His three 
friends huddled closely about it, for the night 
was cool and the warmth of the blaze most 
welcome. 

“We just saw a frind o’ yours,” announced 
Dennis. 

“You mean Burch?” queried Pierre. “I 
saw heem also.” 

“Where?” demanded George. 

“Eight here in camp.” 

“Did you speak with him?” 

“No, and he did not see me.” 

“What do you think about him?” inquired 
Alec. 

“Zat he iss a snake. I also think ozzer sings 
about heem.” 

‘ ‘ What ? ’ ’ 

“Do you wish to hear what was said at ze 
conference?” asked Pierre, evidently not wish- 
ing to talk about Burch any more. 

254 


ON WATCH 


‘‘Won’t you tell us what you know about 
Burchr’ asked George. 

“Do you wish to hear what was said at ze 
conferenced’ Pierre repeated. 

“Of course we do,” said George. “Tell us 
what happened.” He knew the French 
trapper too well to urge him to talk about some- 
thing he did not care to discuss. 

“Well,” said Pierre, “ze Indians wished to 
know why eet was zat ze soldiers were ad- 
vancing against zem.” 

“As though they didn’t know,” exclaimed 
Alec. “Do they think we’re going to let them 
murder our people and we do nothing about 
itd’ 

“Zey said,” continued Pierre, “zat ze Pro- 
phet did not wish a war, but zat he desire 
peace. ’ ’ 

“He wants us to let him alone so he can go 
on murdering, that’s what he wants,” snorted 
Alec in disgust. 

“Leave him tell his story,” said Dennis to 
Alec. “Ye keep interruptin’ him, iviry tin 
seconds.” 

“I’m not stopping him,” muttered Alec, but 
nevertheless he lapsed into silence. 

255 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘Ze Indians say zat ze Prophet have sent a 
peace message down ze Wabash by Miami and 
Pottawattomie chiefs. ’ ’ 

‘‘Where are they!’’ asked George. 

“Zay say zey go down ze wrong side of ze 
river.” 

“Huh!” snorted Alec. “A fine chance of 
that!” 

“Well, General Harrison he think mebbe zey 
tell ze truth,” said Pierre. “He agree to wait 
till tomorrow to hold a council an’ talk of 
peace. So he decide to camp here, and here 
we are.” 

“All ready to be attacked,” exclaimed Alec. 

“Maybe the Indians do want peace,” said 
George hopefully. 

“Don’t fool yourself, my boy,” said Alec. 
“There’s just about as much chance of that as 
there is of the sun not rising tomorrow.” 

“Or o’ Alec’s ever bein’ as smart a fellow 
as Dinnis,” added the mischievous young Irish- 
man, nudging George in his ribs. 

Alec merely turned and glared at the speaker 
and said nothing. 

The glow of the myriads of camp fires, with 
the many figures busy around them, the fresh 
256 


ON WATCH 


night wind directly off the prairies, and the 
rustle of the breeze through the tall grass pro- 
duced a soothing effect upon the four friends 
and soon after supper they repaired to their 
blankets. All of them but Pierre were to go 
on guard duty after midnight, and they felt 
that they needed the sleep. 

In almost no time at all they were deep in the 
land of dreams, and their heavy and regular 
breathing showed that they slept well. The 
hum and bustle of the camp died away little by 
little and quiet settled over all. Many sent- 
inels had been posted, however, for General 
Harrison was a prudent commander and ran 
no unnecessary risks; the strictest vigilance 
was enjoined upon every one in the army. All 
the men slept on their arms. 

At midnight Alec, George and Dennis were 
aroused and prepared to go on sentry duty at 
once. 

‘^Where’s Pierre?’’ inquired George, notic- 
ing that the trapper was gone. 

‘‘I don’t know,” said Alec in surprise. ‘^He 
didn’t have to go on duty, did he? I wonder 
where he’s gone.” 

‘‘We haven’t time to find out now,” said 
257 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


George, ‘‘but you may be sure that whatever 
he’s doing he’s not wasting his time.” 

If the three friends had known what mission 
had taken Pierre away from the fire and 
his blankets they would have been far more 
interested than they were under the circum- 
stances. 

“Wind’s gone down,” observed Alec. 

“Not a breath stirring,” said George. “I 
never saw a more quiet night. ’ ’ 

“I hope no Injins is stirrin’, nayther,” said 
Dennis solemnly. 

They reported and were at once assigned to 
their posts. The night was calm and quiet, but 
over the camp there seemed to hang an air of 
suspense. Even though most of the men were 
asleep, a feeling of tenseness permeated the 
very air. “The calm before the storm,” 
thought George to himself. 

He walked slowly up and down his beat, gaz- 
ing intently out across the prairie. A pale 
moon was setting in the sky and the faint flicker 
of the stars afforded the only light he had. Be- 
hind him glowed the watchfires, and as George 
thought of all those men he was guarding, his 
heart swelled with pride at the responsibility. 

258 


ON WATCH 

Perhaps the safety of the whole camp depended 
on him alone. 

Everything breathed of quietness and peace. 
Not a sound interrupted the stillness of the 
night. Dawn was not far distant, and with its 
coming George knew that all immediate danger 
would be past. He also knew that the time just 
before dawn was the most dangerous of all; 
then it was that the Indians were accustomed 
to launch their attacks. 

George stood on a small eminence and gazed 
out across the prairie. It was a little after 
four o’clock in the morning and the young 
soldier remembered that it was November the 
seventh, his birthday. He hoped he should be 
able to spend it in peace and quiet. There 
were no clouds in the sky and the weather 
promised to be fair at any rate. 

Suddenly he started. What was that he 
saw? Not a breath of wind was stirring, yet 
the tall grass was waving as if under the influ- 
ence of a strong breeze. Nearer and nearer 
came the waves, while George watched spell- 
bound. What could it all mean? How could 
the grass wave and sway when there was no 
breeze to blow it? Closer and closer moved the 
259 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


disturbance in the grass until it reached a spot 
directly at the foot of the little elevation where 
George was standing. 

‘‘Who goes there r’ he challenged. 

There was no reply, and George was more 
puzzled than ever. Suddenly, however, with 
the quick instinct of a woodsman he stooped, 
and looking under the grass beheld an Indian 
stealthily creeping towards him. Instantly 
raising his rifle he fired. 


CHAPTER XXV 


TIPPECANOE 

B efore the report of the rifle died away 
there was a tremendous yell. Clouds of 
savages sprang out of the tall grass and rushed 
upon the American lines. 

“Indians! Indians!’’ shouted George at 
the top of his voice. 

Almost instantly bugles sounded and the men 
seized their arms. General Harrison, knowing 
from experience what hour was the most 
dangerous, was already at his post. Every 
officer was prepared for action. All the watch- 
fires were immediately extinguished, so that 
the Indians might not be guided by them in 
making their attacks. 

The left flank of the American army received 
the first onset. Here it was that the four 
friends, George, Alec, Dennis and Pierre were 
to be found when the battle opened. The first 
three named had been on sentry duty there; 
261 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


and Pierre quickly joined them soon after the 
first shot was fired. 

Greatly outnumbered and unable to rally be- 
fore the furious and sudden assault they gave 
way. 

‘‘Back, Dennis! Back!’' shouted Alec. 
“Don’t be reckless.” 

“I hate t’ retreat before the varmints!” 
cried Dennis doggedly. 

“Well, you can’t do any good if you’re 
dead,” Alec reminded him. “Be sensible for 
once in your life.” 

They dodged behind trees and logs, taking 
advantage of every available bit of protec- 
tion to be found. Bullets sang around their 
heads, while the noise of the guns and the yells 
of the Indians added to the din and confu- 
sion. 

“Here they come! Here they come!” 
shouted Alec. 

“They’re charging,” cried George. “Hold 
’em back.” 

On came the Indians, yelling fiercely and 
making a loud rattling noise with deer-hoofs 
held in their hands. In the faint light of early 
morning they had the appearance of hundreds 
262 


TIPPECANOE 


of flitting ghosts as they crept from tree to tree 
and dashed swiftly across the open spaces. 

^^Fire!’^ came the order. 

Scores of rifles spoke and more than one 
savage pitched forward on his face to move no 
more. Still they advanced. Their bravery 
and reckless disregard of life were amaz- 
ing. 

‘^We must give way a little more, men,’’ said 
Major White. ^‘We mustn’t let them cut us 
otf. Hold them as well as you can until reen- 
forcements can be sent up.” 

Fighting desperately the Americans re- 
treated slowly. They were outnumbered on 
this quarter and not to withdraw would have 
been suicide. 

‘^Why don’t they send us help!” complained 
Alec. 

‘^Zey will as soon as eet iss possible, no 
doubt,” said Pierre quietly. He was losing no 
time in words. Loading and reloading his gun 
as quickly as possible he discharged it at their 
redskinned foes. Woe unto any Indian who 
showed himself where Pierre’s rifle was point- 
ing. 

Several Americans lay stark and still on the 
18 263 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


battlefield, their comrades unable to bring their 
bodies back. 

‘‘Poor old McLeod lies out there,’’ said 
George. 

“Yis, an’ look at that divil creepin’ up on 
him now,” cried Dennis. “He’s after a scalp, 
the snake!” 

“Shoot him then, shoot him!” exclaimed 
George. “My gun is empty.” 

“An’ so is mine.” 

“Yell to Pierre, or somebody. We mustn’t 
let him be scalped.” 

Pierre, however, was some distance away. 
George and Dennis lay crouched behind a 
fallen log many yards distant from their near- 
est comrade. They called out to some one to 
jprevent the outrage, but their words were lost 
in the noise and shock of battle. 

“Load, Dennis, quick!” urged George, trying 
desperately to do the same. 

“He’ll reach there first,” exclaimed Dennis. 

Suddenly the young Irishman leaped to his 
feet. “Not before me though,” he cried. Be- 
fore George realized what was happening 
Dennis sprang over the log which sheltered 
them and dashed forward. He swung his 
264 


TIPPECANOE 


clubbed rifle around bis head and yelled at the 
top of his lungs. 

‘ ^ Come back ! Come back ! ’ ’ shouted George. 
‘‘Youfll be killed sure.’’ 

Dennis heard nothing. Shouting and whirl- 
ing his rifle he rushed across the bullet-swept 
battlefield. Fascinated and almost too amazed 
to move George watched his friend’s progress. 
It seemed a miracle that he was not shot down. 
Nearer and nearer he came to his foe. 

The Indian, creeping towards McLeod’s 
body, saw Dennis approaching and hesitated. 
Except for a long knife the redskin was 
unarmed. He rose halfway to his feet and 
in a crouching attitude waited for the young 
Irishman. Dennis was almost upon him 
now. 

All at once, as Dennis held his gun aloft it 
was torn from his grasp. A bullet intended 
for the young soldier struck the butt of his rifle 
and wrenched it from his hands. 

“He’s gone now,” moaned George. “Even 
if a bullet doesn’t get him.” 

With an exultant cry the Indian rose to his 
full height and with knife upraised rushed at 
Dennis. Dennis had paused momentarily, 
265 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


stunned by the sudden loss of his weapon. He 
was powerless to defend himself. He had no 
time to pick up his rifle, and his foe was upon 
him. His plight was indeed desperate. 
George felt as though he could not look at what 
was to come. 

The Indian’s keen blade never found its 
mark, however. As the savage stood with 
raised right arm, ready to plunge the long 
knife into the heart of his enemy, he seemed to 
hesitate. His knees wobbled slightly and the 
knife fell from his hands. Slowly he sank to 
his knees and then tumbled forward in a limp 
heap. 

‘^You got him! You got him!” cried a voice 
at George’s ear, and turning he spied Alec and 
Pierre. 

^^Did you see that?” demanded Alec ex- 
citedly. 

^^Did you shoot that Indian, Pierre?” said 
George. 

‘'He certainly did,” exclaimed Alec. 
‘‘What a shot that was!” 

“You saved his life,” said George simply. 

“Not unless he help heemself,” returned 
Pierre. “He must get out of zere.” 

266 


TIPPECANOE 


Dennis had recovered his wits somewhat, 
however. He dodged behind a tree and 
pressed close to the trunk so as to present as 
small a target to his foes as possible. Bullets 
clipped the hark off close about him, however, 
showing that the savages had not forgotten 
him. 

“We must get him away from there, ex- 
claimed Alec. “Hedl be killed, and it^s only a 
question of time.’^ 

Suddenly there was a shout. 

“There’s General Harrison!” shouted Alec. 
“And reenforcements, too!” 

Several companies of infantry were seen ap- 
proaching. A loud cheer greeted them, and as 
they came near the whole force rose to their 
feet and charged forward. Fearlessly these 
frontiersmen advanced, driving the Indians 
from thicket and bush, killing those who re- 
sisted and taking some prisoners. Many a 
brave American fell upon the field, but the 
others kept on. 

Soon all the ground lost had been regained. 
The Indians were driven from the wooded sec- 
tion, back into the high grass. Their attacks 
did not cease for that reason, however. 
267 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


Alternately they rushed upon the American 
lines and retreated. They fought desperately 
and seemed determined to win the fight or die 
in the attempt. So fast and so often did the 
Indians attack that many times the Americans 
had no chance to reload their rifles before 
the savages were upon them. They rushed 
straight up to the bayonets of the troops, strik- 
ing at them with their tomahawks and war 
clubs. 

^‘Nivir retreat!’’ exclaimed Dennis, lunging 
at a big redskin who had rushed upon him. 
With the arrival of reenforcements he had re- 
covered his gun. 

Eight you are,” cried Alec as with a mighty 
blow he smote the Indian squarely on the top 
of the head with the butt of his gun. 

^‘One less to bother us,” said Dennis, as their 
enemy fell. “Who’s next?” 

“The sun is next,” cried G-eorge. “It’s 
growing light.” 

Shoulder to shoulder the four friends fought. 
Time and again as the Indians charged they 
shot them down. Pierre’s rifle did deadly 
execution, nor were his three companions far 
behind. 


268 


TIPPECANOE 


^‘General Harrison is killed/^ shouted some 
one. 

‘‘What!’’ cried George. “It can’t he.” 

“He’s shot,” said the man, and the news 
spread like wildfire. Panic seized some of the 
weaker men and they threatened to become 
demoralized. Only the encouragement and 
threats of their fellows prevented them from 
bolting. General Harrison was such a splen- 
did leader. What could the army do without 
him? 

“Is it true?” demanded George dazedly. 

“Eet may be but a rumor,” said Pierre en- 
couragingly. “At any rate we must fight all 
ze harder if eet iss.” 

Suddenly there was a cheer. Making his 
way through the lines was General Harrison 
himself. He had come to prove that he was 
very much alive. 

“A bullet cut through his hair,” said one of 
the men. 

“That’s how it was rumored that he was 
killed, I suppose,” remarked George. “All I 
can say is, thank heaven it is not true.” 

A charge was ordered. The troops sprang 
from their shelters and pushed forward against 
269 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


the Indians. Day had now come, so that it was 
possible to see clearly just what was taking 
place. 

‘‘Drive ^em into the swamps!’’ shouted Alec 
fiercely as they started on the run across the 
battlefield. “Chase ’em back into the woods.” 

Suddenly he stumbled and sank to his knees. 

“I’m shot,” he said weakly. “Leave me 
here and go ahead.” 

His three friends stopped at once, however, 
and leaned over him. 

“Where are you hit, Alec?” demanded 
George anxiously. 

“Here, in the shoulder,” was the faint reply. 
He lifted his hand with an effort and strove to 
place it on his shoulder blade. 

“Look,” cried Dennis excitedly, “he’s hit in 
th’ back.” 

“He certainly is!” exclaimed George. 
‘ ‘ How could he be shot in the back, when there 
are only our own men behind us ? ” 

The three friends looked at one another in- 
quiringly. 


CHAPTER XXVI 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 

I N front of them were the American troops, 
pursuing the Indians relentlessly, driving 
them into the woods and swamps as Alec had 
wished. Behind them were a few of the 
wounded and those who had been outstripped 
in the mad assault. 

‘Ht^s sortinly queer,’’ exclaimed Dennis. 
‘Ht is,” George agreed heartily. 

Pierre, however, made no comment. He was 
busily engaged in binding up Alec’s wound as 
best he could. Pondering deeply over the mat- 
ter George and Dennis sat in silence. 

Presently Pierre rose to his feet. ‘‘Come,” 
he urged. “Alec iss all right. Let us go; we 
have work to do.” 

“We’re with ye,” cried Dennis. “Come 
ahead. ’ ’ 

“We go zis way,” announced Pierre quietly. 
He started to walk in the opposite direction 
271 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


from the one the charge was taking. Farther 
and farther away sounded the noise of battle, 
as the Americans drove the Indians before 
them. They attacked fiercely on all sides, and 
before their onslaught the savages broke and 
fled. 

‘‘What forT’ demanded George in amaze- 
ment. 

“Are ye crazy F’ exclaimed Dennis in aston- 
ishment. “You’re not goin’ t’ leave th’ fight 
now, are ye?” 

“None of the enemy are in that direction, 
Pierre,” cried George. 

“Yes zey are,” said Pierre quietly. 

“I’ll wager ye there’s not a single In jin in 
th’ direction ye want t’ take us,” said Dennis 
warmly. “Ye’re losin’ yer mind.” 

“Perhaps zere are not Indians zere,” said 
Pierre. “Ze enemy iss zere, however, an’ we 
must hurry.” 

George and Dennis looked at each other help- 
lessly. They were both firmly of the opinion 
that Pierre had suddenly gone insane. Other- 
wise why should he wish to go in exactly the 
opposite direction from the one which would 
lead to the fighting. 


272 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 


‘‘Do you wish to get ze man who shoot 
Alec?^^ asked Pierre. 

The two young soldiers stared at him in 
amazement, the same idea flashing through 
their minds. 

“Sortinly we do,” cried Dennis eagerly. 

‘ ‘ Zen come wiz me. ’ ^ 

“Who do you think did it?” queried George 
eagerly. 

“Do you not know?” 

“Burch?” 

“Zat iss ze snake. We will fix heem zis 
time,” and Pierre’s jaws closed with a snap. 
“Shoot heem at sight.” 

“How do you know he shot Alec?” demanded 
George. 

“How do I know ze sun rise? I just know 
eet.” 

“Where do ye expect t’ find him?” asked 
Dennis. 

“We spread out here,” said Pierre. “I 
stay in ze middle, you, George, take ze right, 
and Dennis ze left.” 

“How far apart shall we keep?” George in- 
quired. 

“About feefty yards. Zen go ahead slow.” 

273 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


ye think we should lave th’ fight like 
thisT^ queried Dennis dubiously. ‘‘P’raps we 
should stay with th’ others.” 

“Come wiz me,” directed Pierre. “We do 
more good if we kill zis snake zan if we stay 
wiz ze army.” 

They separated to take their allotted places, 
the parting word from Pierre being to shoot 
Burch on sight. George did not relish this 
prospect, however. Aside from a personal dis- 
like and many half-formed suspicions he knew 
of no reason why he should strive to kill this 
man. He knew Pierre, however, and was cer- 
tain that the French trapper would never have 
said such a thing without good reason. 

The sounds from the battlefield came to his 
ears less and less distinctly now. He hoped 
that all was going well with the Americans. 

Suddenly he heard the crack of a rifle and 
saw Dennis drop to one knee. A hundred 
yards distant through the trees, he saw the 
young Irishman strive to rise to his feet and 
sink back again weakly. He dodged behind a 
tree and looked around for Pierre. Presently 
he discovered the trapper also taking refuge 
behind a large oak. 


274 


A MYSTEEY SOLVED 


George peered out from his hiding-place. A 
little cloud of smoke floated lazily on the still 
air, just above a small clump of bushes some 
three hundred feet distant. No sign of life ap- 
peared, however. What ought he to do, George 
wondered. He was not long deciding, however. 

Eaising his rifle he took aim at the center of 
the clump of hushes and fired. He thought 
perhaps that if any one was hiding in that spot 
the bullet would drive him out, and then Pierre 
could do the rest. As he planned, so it hap- 
pened. Straining his eyes to learn the results 
of his shot he saw a man emerge from the 
thicket and start to steal away. 

Instantly Pierre ^s rifle cracked. Evidently 
he also had seen the man. George knew that 
given any sort of target, the Frenchman never 
missed. So great was his confidence in his 
friend’s ability that he sprang out from his 
hiding-place and dashed boldly across the inter- 
vening space. As he did so he saw the man 
that had been fired at stumble ; he staggered a 
few steps and then pitched forward on his face, 
his rifle flying from his grasp into the nearby 
bushes. 

Before many seconds had elapsed George 
275 


THE TRAIL OP TECUMSEH 


was upon him. He had recognized Burch as 
he approached and without hesitating an in- 
stant hurled himself upon the prostrate body 
of his enemy. Burch had been wounded in the 
leg by Pierre’s bullet, but he struggled desper- 
ately. Over and over on the ground the fight- 
ers rolled, first one having the advantage and 
then the other. 

Their breath came hard and fast. They 
pommeled and pounded each other, struggling 
desperately. Burch was bigger and heavier 
than George and for a time it seemed as if it 
might go hard with the young soldier. Before 
many moments had elapsed, however, Pierre 
arrived upon the scene. He danced around the 
two struggling men, waiting eagerly for a 
chance to strike a blow that would free George 
from his adversary. 

So confused and entwined were the legs and 
arms and bodies of the fighters, however, that 
Pierre feared to strike lest he should harm his 
comrade. At length an opportunity presented 
itself and he struck. A sharp blow on the head 
stunned Burch; his limbs relaxed and George 
shook himself free, and rose to his feet. 

“He’s a tough customer, Pierre,” he panted. 

276 


A MYSTEEY SOLVED 


“Truly he iss/’ agreed Pierre. “I was 
afraid he hurt you.’’ 

“He couldn’t have been wounded very 
badly.” 

“In ze ankle,” said Pierre, pointing to a red 
blotch of blood on Burch’s trouser leg. “He 
not hurt much.” 

“He’s pretty lively, I can vouch for that,” 
said George, breathing hard. “What do you 
plan to do with him?” 

“I tie heem first,” Pierre exclaimed. He 
loosed his prisoner’s belt and quickly slipped 
it around his arms and body. Then with his 
own belt he bound his captive’s legs. 

“We search heem now,” said Pierre. He 
thrust his hand inside of Burch’s coat and drew 
out a package of papers. At that moment the 
wounded man opened his eyes and looked about 
him. He tried to move but could not. 

“What does this mean?” he demanded 
angrily. “Let me up.” 

“What does zis mean?” asked Pierre, hold- 
ing up the package for his prisoner to see. 

“Give me those letters,” cried Burch. 
“They’re mine!” 

“Zey are mine now,” Pierre corrected. 

277 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


^^They are personal letters/^ pleaded Burcli. 

Please give them to me.’’ 

Don’t ye do it,” said a familiar voice. 
Standing behind George and Pierre was Den- 
nis. His face was drawn with pain and he 
leaned heavily on the stock of his gun. 
‘^That’s the fellow who shot me,” he exclaimed. 

‘‘Why were you after meT’ demanded 
Burch. 

“Because you shoot Alec, zat iss why,” said 
Pierre sharply. “Zat iss not ze only reason 
zough. ’ ’ 

“I did not shoot Alec,” Burch protested 
stoutly. 

“Zen we come after you, because of ze ozzer 
reason,” said Pierre. 

“WTiat do you mean?” 

“We want zese letters.” 

“Those are my personal letters, I tell you,” 
Burch fairly screamed. “I call this an out- 
rage. General Harrison shall hear of this.” 

“And very soon too,” said Pierre quietly. 
“Zat iss where we are going to take you and 
ze letters.” 

Burch struggled like a madman to loose his 
bonds. He raved and swore and fought; his 
278 


A MYSTERY SOLVED 


face grew fiery red and his eyes bulged. He 
tried to bite at the belt which held him, and 
when be could not reach it, be swore afresh. 
He rolled over and over on the ground, utterly 
regardless of bis wound. Finally be stopped 
from sheer exhaustion and lay still. 

‘^Now we take beem,’^ announced Pierre. 
‘‘I take ze feet, George, and you take ze bead.^’ 

“Can you walk all right, Dennis T’ asked 
George. 

“I c’n walk, but not all right. Go ahead 
though, an’ I’ll follow ye.” 

They started back towards camp, carrying 
Burch between them, while Dennis hobbled 
along behind; coming to General Harrison’s 
headquarters they deposited their burden upon 
the ground in front of his tent. The general 
was not there, being absent in the field direct- 
ing his troops, for the battle still raged. 
Major White was there, however. 

“Suppose zat you go an’ look after Alec an’ 
Dennis,” said Pierre. “Zey may need help.” 

“All right,” said George, but he left re- 
luctantly, for he was eager to learn what it was 
that Pierre intended to say to Major White. 


19 


279 


CHAPTER XXVII 


A VOLLEY OF SHOTS 

G eorge had no trouble in finding his two 
wounded comrades. Fortunately neither 
one of them was badly injured and when 
George had ministered to their needs they were 
able to make their way hack to camp. 

otf for the fight, announced George, 
wish I could go with ye,’^ moaned Dennis 
sadly. 

‘‘You stay where you are,’^ exclaimed 
George. “Pierre will be along here presently 
and besides the fight must be almost over. I 
donT hear much firing any more.” 

He started otf at a brisk pace through the 
woods. On the way he passed many bodies, 
both of Indians and white men, lying stark and 
still upon the battlefield. Men who were 
wounded painfully made their way back to 
camp. Here and there lay a figure, its scalp 
tom from its head and George shuddered at 
the sight. 


280 


A VOLLEY OF SHOTS 


When he had covered a half mile or so he 
saw a body of troops making its way towards 
him. He recognized men of his own company 
and soon hailed them. 

‘‘The fight’s over,” announced one of the 
men. 

“Yes,” said another, “the Indians have dis- 
appeared into the swamps and into the woods. 
We chased ’em in, hut they’re too good for us 
in places like that and they got away.” 

“How about Tippecanoe?” inquired George. 

“The village is abandoned.” 

“So the fight’s all over, is it?” exclaimed 
George. “Well, I guess I’ll go and have a look 
at Tippecanoe anyway.” 

“I’ll go with you,” exclaimed a young man 
named Henry Parker. He was almost the 
same age as George, and the two boys were fast 
friends. 

“Did you hear about the Prophet?” inquired 
Henry, when they had started on their way to 
Tippecanoe. 

“No, I didn’t,” said George. “What about 
him?” 

“Why, all through the battle he was sitting 
on that hill over there singing a war song. He 
281 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


liad told his men, you know, that the Great 
Spirit had made the bullets of our men useless 
and that they wouldn^t hurt the Indians at all. 
He also said that they would have light so that 
they could see, while the Americans would be 
in thick darkness.’’ 

‘‘His men didn’t believe anything so ridicu- 
lous as that, did they?” demanded George in 
consternation. 

“Yes, they did. When the Indians began to 
fall they went to the Prophet and told him, but 
he said not to worry and to keep on fighting for 
his predictions would soon come true.” 

“They fought hard, all right,” exclaimed 
George. 

“They certainly did,” agreed Henry, “and 
I think the main reason was because that rascal 
Ellskwatawa told them all he did. These In- 
dians believe almost anything their medicine 
men tell them, you know.” 

“Tecumseh wouldn’t have been so silly.” 

“I guess that’s right.” 

“Wliere is he now?” 

“Still down South, I think,” said Henry. 
“As soon as he hears of this he’ll be back fast 
enough, though.” 


282 


A VOLLEY OF SHOTS 


‘‘This defeat will spoil a lot of his plans, I 
guess.’’ 

“I hope so. It’s better to fight eight hun- 
dred Indians this year than it would he to wait 
until next when Tecumseh might have collected 
perhaps a couple of thousand.” 

Presently they came to the village of Tippe- 
canoe. Not an Indian was to be seen, and the 
redmen had apparently left in great haste, for 
many of their possessions had been abandoned. 
The American troops wandered about at will, 
inspecting the tepees and their contents with 
much interest. 

“No Indians here at all?” asked George of 
one of the soldiers. 

“Not one, except an old chief who had a 
broken leg and couldn’t get away,” replied the 
man. 

“I hear Captain Snelling took a chief 
prisoner. ’ ’ 

“He did; with his own hands.” 

“Who was he?” 

“I don’t know, but I guess he wasn’t very 
proud of some of his leaders. When he was 
captured he kept saying, ‘Good man, me no 
Shawnee.’ ” 


283 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘^Tecumseh and Ms brother the Prophet are 
Shawnees, aren’t theyT’ 

‘^Yes, and I guess this fellow didn’t want to 
be mixed up with them.” 

^‘That’s funny,” laughed George. ‘‘I sup- 
pose the Prophet escaped.” 

Don’t worry about him,” said the soldier. 
^‘He wouldn’t get near enough to the fight to 
be in any danger.” 

‘‘Let’s go back to camp, George,” said 
Henry. “I want to see my brother and find 
out if he’s all right.” 

“I want to go back, too,” said George. 
They said good-by to the man who had an- 
swered their questions and began to retrace 
their steps. Apparently the victory had been 
complete. 

Presently the two young soldiers arrived 
at camp, when Henry went in search of his 
brother and George rejoined his three friends, 
Alec, Dennis and Pierre. 

“The Indians have abandoned Tippecanoe,” 
he announced. 

“Good,” exclaimed Alec. “It cost us a lot 
of men though.” 

“How many?” 


284 


A VOLLEY OF SHOTS 


‘^Well, I hear we had about fifty killed and 
a hundred wounded.’’ 

‘‘How many did the Indians lose?” 

“About the same number, I hear.” 

“How is your wound and how is Dennis’?” 
asked George. 

“We’ll be all right.” 

“An’ besides we have th’ distinction o’ bein’ 
th’ only wans t’ be wounded by a white man,” 
said Dennis. 

“By the way,” exclaimed George, turning to 
Pierre, “what about Burch ? ’ ’ 

“Did you not hear?” inquired Pierre mildly. 

“Not a word.” 

“Burch was a spy,” Alec exclaimed. 
“Those papers that Pierre found on him con- 
tained all information about our army, de- 
tails of our plans, and letters showing how 
he had worked to stir up the Indians against 
us.” 

“A spy?” said George slowly. “Are you 
sure?” 

“Zere iss no doubt,” said Pierre. “I sup- 
pected heem all along.” 

“Then why didn’t you tell us?” 

“I wish to make sure.” 

285 


THE TRAIL OF TECUMSEH 


‘‘When he made those smoke rings, he was 
signaling to the Indians, I suppose/’ 

“Yes, and it was he that tried to stampede 
our horses that night,” said Alec. “They 
proved that too.” 

“Is that so?” exclaimed George. “Who 
was he working for? Surely not for Te- 
cumseh?” 

“Who is our greatest enemy just now?” 
asked Alec. 

“What country, do you mean?” 

“Yes. Whom did we win our freedom 
from?” 

“England. Was he working for them?” 

“He was. You know Canada isn’t very far 
away and there are lots of British troops up 
there. England doesn’t like to see us spread- 
ing out and getting more and more territory. ’ ’ 

“So Burch was sent to stir up trouble for 
us and to spy on us, was he?” said George. 

“He was,” said Dennis. “He’ll not trouble 
us ag’in, though.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because,” said Pierre, “at twelve o’clock 
he iss to be shot. He was courtmartialed and 
found guilty in feefteen minutes.” He looked 
286 


A VOLLEY OF SHOTS 

at his watch. ‘‘Eet iss just twelve o’clock 
now,” he said. 

Suddenly there came to the ears of the four 
friends the sound of a volley of shots, and then 
all was still. 

guess that will be all f’r Mister Burch,” 
remarked Dennis grimly. 


CHAPTEE XXVIII 


CONCLUSION 

T he defeat at Tippecanoe was a heavy blow 
to Tecumseb^s plans and for a time broke 
np tbe Indian confederacy. He was unable to 
raise any considerable force against tbe Amer- 
icans until tbe commencement of tbe War of 
1812. 

On bis return from tbe South, finding that tbe 
force at Tippecanoe bad dispersed and that bis 
brother bad fled, be proceeded to tbe American 
post of Fort Wayne. He still retained tbe 
same haughty spirit and did not give up bis 
idea of uniting tbe various tribes against tbe 
Americans. By threats and insolent language 
be attempted to obtain ammunition from tbe 
commander of tbe fort ; but upon being refused 
be said be would go to bis British father, who 
would not deny him. 

Before tbe war with Great Britain actually 
broke out, Tecumseb already was committing 
depredations along tbe frontiers of Indiana, 
288 


CONCLUSION 


Illinois and Ohio. These attacks were made 
early in the spring of 1812, and when the war 
started he joined the British army, receiving 
from the Eedcoats a commission as brigadier- 
general. With a large body of warriors he 
joined the army of General Proctor when his 
old enemy, General Harrison, took the field in 
the autumn of 1813. 

General Proctor with a strong force occupied 
Malden, on the Detroit Eiver. Here he had 
determined to await the attack of General Har- 
rison, but the victory of the Americans on Lake 
Erie made him decide to burn Malden and re- 
treat into the interior. 

Tecumseh did not approve of this decision 
of the British commander and opposed it bit- 
terly. His remonstrance had no etfect, how- 
ever; General Proctor set fire to Malden and 
hastily retreated. Tecumseh, although he had 
over two thousand Indians under his command, 
also was obliged to retreat in company with 
the British. 

General Harrison crossed the river and ad- 
vanced rapidly in pursuit, overtaking the re- 
treating army at the Moravian towns on the 
river Thames. On the 5th of October, 1813, 
289 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


the battle there took place. Each side num- 
bered about twenty-five hundred men. The 
British were posted in an advantageous posi- 
tion, their flanks protected by the river and a 
swamp. Tecumseh with his entire force of 
Indians was stationed on the left. 

The Indians fought desperately, and, as they 
were charged by the Americans, reserved their 
fire with great coolness until the attacking 
columns were but a few paces from their lines. 
Then they poured upon them so destructive a 
volley that the front ranks were nearly all cut 
down. Tecumseh throughout the battle was 
foremost among his men, urging them on by 
his voice and example. 

Colonel Johnson, who led the American 
mounted infantry against the Indians, ordered 
his men to dismount and form in line. A fierce 
and bloody struggle ensued. Tecumseh was 
shot dead; the Indians unable to withstand the 
charge of the Americans gave way and fled into 
the swamp where they were dispersed. The 
British right wing previously had been routed 
and the victory was complete; more than six 
hundred prisoners were captured. 

This defeat and the death of Tecumseh, who 
290 


CONCLUSION 


was the life and soul of the Indian confederacy, 
completely broke the spirit of the savages. 
Seven of the hostile tribes immediately sued 
for peace and gave hostages to guarantee their 
good behavior. 

Thus ended the career of Tecumseh, prob- 
ably the most able military chief of all the 
northern tribes. He possessed wisdom, fore- 
sight, self-control, bravery and a wonderful 
mind. He was far superior to the British 
leader under whom he fought; he had more 
courage, more humanity, more firmness, and 
understood better the art of war. In ap- 
pearance he was tall and muscular, with a dig- 
nified carriage and a piercing eye ; he was stern, 
and usually quiet, though when need arose 
he could speak with great fluency and elo- 
quence. 

His humanity deserves to be noticed. He 
had promised General Harrison that he would 
do all in his power to prevent cruelty to 
prisoners. On one occasion Tecumseh, per- 
ceiving a number of American prisoners about 
to be tomahawked, while the British officers 
quietly looked on, rushed in among them, 
flourished his sword, and called upon the sav- 
291 


THE TEAIL OF TECUMSEH 


ages to desist. ‘Ht is a disgrace to kill a de- 
fenseless prisoner!’’ he cried. 

Tecumseh left a son, who was fighting by his 
side when he was slain. The Prince Regent of 
England made this son a present of a handsome 
sword as a token of respect for the memory of 
his father. In 1826 he emigrated west of the 
Mississippi. Ellskwatawa, after the termina- 
tion of the war, lived in Canada, and received 
a pension from the British government. When 
his nephew went west the Prophet accom- 
panied him. 

0) 


THE END 



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